East Asia, Korea, Koryo Dynasty, ca. 10th to 13th century CE. A triumphant celadon glazed pottery pitcher depicting a phoenix with a cocked head and a spouted beak. This greenware porcelain bird has carefully incised wings on opposite ends, and appliqued facial features including circular eyes, a prominent brow line, and a flamboyantly raised hairstyle. A thick strap handle rises from the back of the bulbous body to the bottom of the vessel’s flared lip. The celadon glaze was allowed to flow freely over the handle, and the vessel was fired in such a way that the potter was able to create a multi-textural effect. Three linear incisions delineate the concaved base and gently flared foot. A beautiful piece to say the least! Size: 7.25" L x 6.5" W x 9.25" H (18.4 cm x 16.5 cm x 23.5 cm)

To create this ware, artisans apply a wash of slip (liquefied clay), which contains a high proportion of iron, to the body of the stoneware before glazing. The iron interacts with the glaze during the firing and colors it one of various shades of green. First made in China, celadon was exported to India, Persia, and Egypt in the Tang dynasty (618–907), to most of Asia in the Song (960–1279) and Ming (1368–1644) dynasties, and to Europe in the 14th century. The ware was popular because of its beauty; the Chinese also valued it because it resembled jade. Adding to its popularity was a widely believed superstition suggesting that a celadon dish would break or change color if poisoned food were put into it.The first step is bisque firing, which dries out and hardens unglazed vessels to make them stable and easier to handle. The second step involves firing glazed vessels in a low oxygen “reducing” atmosphere to produce the desired celadon color and glossy texture. Korean celadons of the Koryo period had a glaze that varied from bluish green to a putty color. Many of the forms were lobed, based on the melon or the gourd. Chinese potters, known for originating the practice, fired their celadons in brick kilns, but Korean artisans used traditional mud kilns that effectively blocked the flow of oxygen to produce a brilliant celadon tone.Korean potters adapted and refined celadon technology from China to create distinctively Korean ceramics revered by elites in Korea, China, Japan, and now the entire world alike.

Provenance: ex Ashland University Museum, Ashland, Ohio, USA

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#164852

Hairline fissure along the inside of rim atop. Fissures also visible at top and bottom of handle. Minor chips to glaze scattered throughout. Softening to incised wings - commensurate with age. Otherwise in good condition and intact.