Celadon Toehwamundukkeobimoyang Byeo Pavilion

Basic information

Designation

Treasure No.1782

Category

Craft

Era

고려시대 12세기

Designated year

2012

Location

태안군, 충청남도— 충청남도 태안군 신진대교길 94-33 (근흥면, 국립해양문화재연구소 태안해양유물전시관)

Coordinates

34.768600, 126.375300Museum-based location

This celadon inkstone was excavated at the Daeseom Underwater Site in Taean along with a variety of other celadon items such as bowls, dishes, ewers, incense burners and wooden writing tablets. An inscription on the wooden tablet reveals that this cargo was being carried from Tamjin (today’s Gangjin) to Gaegyeong, the capital of Goryeo. This celadon work is highly regarded not just because it is a rare Goryeo item and a valuable source of information about the Goryeo celadon tradition, but also because it displays a high degree of artistic refinement in its excellent proportions and intricate details. Inside the inkstone are marks left by a carving tool, some discolored areas on the surface caused by overheating, and glaze that has run. Unusually, the front part of the toad is decorated with iron-red painting and clay slip, while there are along the border of the plain egg-shaped circles overlapping one another, a device probably to ease ink making. The artifact is regarded as a valuable item by art historians not only for the outstanding artistry apparent in its form, decoration, color, and carving, but also because there is a clear record of its production date and location and the purpose for which it was made.

Location