East Asia, Korea, Koryo Dynasty, ca. 10th to 13th century CE. A marvelous pottery jar presenting a spherical form with a sloped shoulder and rolled rim, all sitting upon a ring-form base. A lustrous glaze in mottled hues of sage and celadon envelops the elegant vessel, covering all but the base. This lovely vessel is accompanied by fine wooden box with a padded interior. Size: 6.5" Diameter x 4.8" H (16.5 cm x 12.2 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 to 906 CE), to most of Asia in the Song (960 to 1279 CE) and Ming (1368 to 1644 CE) 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.

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, noted 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.

Provenance: private Virginia, USA collection

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance), we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.

Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.

#167088

Minor chipping to rim. Some light abrasions and nicks, commensurate with age. Pitting to base. Otherwise, intact and excellent with nice remaining pigments. Accompanied by wooden box with padded interior.