Vase
1 of 2
Object Label
Vases of this shape, known as maebyeong in Korean and meiping in Chinese, were used for display of single branches from flowering trees. These examples represent two early attempts to add another color to celadon-glazed ceramics. The clouds on one vase were painted directly onto the gray body in liquid white clay (slip) and then covered with the nearly clear green glaze. Although appropriate for the depiction of clouds, this kind of watery, freehand decoration would prove to be difficult to control and would be replaced soon after by inlaid decoration. The iron-brown painting on the other vase was also applied under the glaze, and in this case the iron affected the color of the glaze—another problem that would be alleviated by the invention of inlaid decoration.
Caption
Vase, 12th century. Porcelaneous stoneware with celadon glaze, Height: 13 5/16 in. (33.8 cm) Diameter at mouth: 2 3/16 in. (5.6 cm) Diameter at base: 4 7/8 in. (12.4 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Antoinette M. Kraushaar, 76.43. (Photo: Brooklyn Museum)
Collection
Collection
Title
Vase
Date
12th century
Dynasty
Goryeo Dynasty
Geography
Place made: Korea
Medium
Porcelaneous stoneware with celadon glaze
Classification
Dimensions
Height: 13 5/16 in. (33.8 cm) Diameter at mouth: 2 3/16 in. (5.6 cm) Diameter at base: 4 7/8 in. (12.4 cm)
Credit Line
Gift of Antoinette M. Kraushaar
Accession Number
76.43
Frequent Art Questions
Cloud decorations on a vase, is that unique to Korean art?
The cloud motif is not exclusive to Korea; it is also found on Chinese ceramics, where it is associated with Daoist art.Korea received a lot of cultural influences from China, as well as technologies such as the production of porcelain. Of course, Korean artists always put a unique spin on things.I love the green glazes that Korean potters used and find them very beautiful!Thank you so much for all the wonderful info!Tell me more.
You may notice recurring themes from the natural world throughout Korean decorative arts, in both the design of the objects and their function. The cloud pattern on this vase actually originated in China.I am a ceramics student and was wondering if celadon was an important, even unique glaze in ancient Asian Art and why so. And to what extent is the use of celadon within contemporary ceramics bound to celadon's history?
Celadon glaze was especially valued for the cloud-like, pale blue-green color that could be achieved. Korean potters were internationally recognized as having mastered the technique.I don't know much about contemporary use of celadon for practical vessels, but I do know that some contemporary artists use it. In that case it is usually a reference to the history and historical applications of the material.Yes, thanks so much!What is celadon?
Celadon is a blue-green glaze, often used on stoneware, a kind of ceramic. Celadons are named due to the greenish-blue color of their glaze. Their color can vary in tone from grayish to greenish depending on the composition of the clay. The color of celadon is achieved by placing a green-colored glaze over a gray clay body and the reaction of iron oxide when the vessel is fired in a reduction atmosphere.Thank you.May I know how this vase came into the owner’s possession? I see that it was donated.
The owner, Antoinette Kraushaar, was a prominent art dealer here in New York City. However, I don't know exactly how this vase came into her possession. Her gallery, Kraushaar Gallery, focused on American art, but it is known that she kept certain Asian art pieces that she purchased at auctions, such as vases, at her home. Kraushaar has donated other items to the Brooklyn Museum as well.
Have information?
Have information about an artwork? Contact us at