Celadon Prunus Vase with Incised Lotus and Scroll Design

Basic information

Designation

National Treasure No.97

Category

Craft

Era

고려시대(12세기)

Designated year

1962

Location

용산구, 서울특별시— 서울특별시 용산구 서빙고로 137 (용산동6가, 국립중앙박물관)

Coordinates

37.524041, 126.980350

The celadon prunus vases of Goryeo (918-1392) such as this one are known to have originated with the ceramic traditions of Tang (618-907) and Song (960-1279). Upon arriving in Korea during the early Goryeo period, they began to develop new lines and volumes that gradually made the Korean prunus vases uniquely different from their Chinese counterparts. This particular vessel – which has height of 43.9 centimeters, mouth diameter of 7.2 centimeters, and base diameter of 15.8 centimeters -- features a voluminous shoulder with clearly defined, slightly everted mouth, a nicely narrowed waist, and the base gently flaring outward, showing that it is a typical Goryeo work. The entire body is decorated with incised lotus and vine design exhibiting dynamic movements and evenly coated with translucent grayish-green celadon glaze, with a fine network of cracks formed during the process of baking in a kiln. The general figure and the state of glazing lead art historians to believe that it was produced at the Sadang-ri Kilns in Daegu-myeon of Gangjin-gun, Jeollanam-do in the 12th century.

Location