Bowl stand: C.63-1984

Maker(s)

Pottery: Unknown (Uncertain)

Entities

• Bowl stand

Categories

• Stoneware
• Celadon

Description

Bowl stand with dragon. Stoneware, thrown, luted, carved and incised, and celadon-glazed. This stand has a cup-shaped support, a broad tray and a low foot; the centre is open. Support and tray are both bordered by key-fret that is finely and regularly incised, and on the tray two tokkaebi ('ghost-faced') dragons are crisply carved. The piece is thin and finely potted; the glaze has a pale bluish-green jade colour with a subtle gloss and is evenly applied. The glaze has been wiped from the foot which shows traces of six fire-clay supports. The matching bowl is lost.

Notes

History note: Acquired in Seoul in March 1954

Legal notes

Gompertz Gift

Acquisition and important dates

Method of acquisition: Given (1984) by Gompertz, G. St. G. M., Mr and Mrs

Dating

12th Century
Koryo Dynasty
Circa 1150 CE - 1200 CE

Note

Probably Sadang-ri or Yuch'on-ri ware.

This unique piece was attributed by Gompertz (1963) to the early twelfth century, but considering the quality of the carving and the beautiful colour of the glaze, it may have to be dated slightly later, to c.1160, when Koryo celadon reached the height of its refinement. Earlier celadons were generally plain or decorated with only faintly incised floral or foliage designs.