Foliated Cup and Stand with Floral Décor
Korea, Jeollanam-do province, Gangjin kilns, Sadang-ri, Foliated Cup and Stand with Floral Décor, Goryeo period (918–1392), 12th century, light gray stoneware with incised and molded decoration under blue-green celadon glaze, The John Yeon Collection; Gift of Richard Louis Brown, public domain, 2014.177.1a,b
This work is not currently on view.
- Title
Foliated Cup and Stand with Floral Décor
- Related Titles
original language: 靑磁花形托盞
original language: 청자 꽃모양 잔과 잔받침
- Artist
Korea, Jeollanam-do province, Gangjin kilns, Sadang-ri (Korean)
- Date
Goryeo period (918–1392), 12th century
- Period
Korea: Goryeo Dynasty (918-1392 CE)
Korea: Goryeo Dynasty (918-1392 CE)
- Medium
light gray stoneware with incised and molded decoration under blue-green celadon glaze
- Dimensions (H x W x D)
4 in x 4 in diam.
- Collection Area
Asian Art
- Category
Ceramics
- Object Type
cup
stand
- Culture
Korean
- Credit Line
The John Yeon Collection; Gift of Richard Louis Brown
- Accession Number
2014.177.1a,b
- Copyright
public domain
- Terms
This exquisite celadon cup forms the shape of an open flower with six petals. Crackles in the glaze were caused as the vessel cooled after firing. Underneath the crackles, you can see graceful, lightly carved designs of lotus sprays on each lobe of the cup. The raised stand is ornately decorated with inverted lotus petals surrounding an inner support ring and scrolling leaf designs on each the five legs. When viewed from different angles, the crackled and pooled jade-green glaze changes color slightly, an effect of light hitting the surface.
The elegant shape and decoration of this set exemplifies court taste for understated luxury in the 12th century. Due to the refined shade of the glaze, this cup and and is thought to have been produced in the kilns of Sadang-ri, which produced the most outstanding jade-colored celadons of the Goryeo period.
Under the patronage of the Goryeo dynasty, Korean arts and crafts rose to unprecedented levels of technical and aesthetic excellence. This exquisite foliated wine cup and stand with five flower-shaped legs exemplifies the court taste for understated luxury. Noblemen and monks would drink from cups like these at gatherings to discuss Buddhist philosophy or compose poetry.
- Exhibitions
2017 Quest for Beauty: The Architecture, Landscapes, and Collections of John Yeon Portland Art Museum
2019 Squirrels, Tigers, and Towering Peaks: Korean Paintings from the Mary and Cheney Cowles Collection Portland Art Museum
2022 Shades of Light: Korean Art from the Collection Portland Art Museum
