Collection
/
Asian Art

Bowl

first half 12th century

1 of 8

Object Label

Although these celadon bowls seem quite plain at first glance, both contain very delicate, hand-drawn decorations that were lightly incised into the clay before glazing. One bowl’s interior has a flower floating on barely visible ripples of water, while the other’s interior shows long-tailed birds flying. In both bases, the decorators appear to have used comblike instruments to create parallel, but gestural, lines in the clay.

Caption

Bowl, first half 12th century. Stoneware with celadon glaze, Height: 2 7/8 in. (7.3 cm) Diameter at mouth: 6 5/8 in. (16.8 cm) Diameter at base: 2 7/16 in. (6.2 cm). Brooklyn Museum, The Peggy N. and Roger G. Gerry Collection, 2004.28.245. (Photo: Brooklyn Museum (in collaboration with National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage, Daejon, Korea))

Gallery

Not on view

Collection

Asian Art

Title

Bowl

Date

first half 12th century

Dynasty

Goryeo dynasty

Geography

Place made: Korea

Medium

Stoneware with celadon glaze

Classification

Ceramic

Dimensions

Height: 2 7/8 in. (7.3 cm) Diameter at mouth: 6 5/8 in. (16.8 cm) Diameter at base: 2 7/16 in. (6.2 cm)

Credit Line

The Peggy N. and Roger G. Gerry Collection

Accession Number

2004.28.245

Frequent Art Questions

  • 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.

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