Bowl with Fish and Waves in Relief

청자 양각 파도·물고기무늬 상감 국화무늬 사발 [靑磁陽刻波漁文象嵌菊花文碗]

1200s

Korea, Goryeo dynasty

(918–1392)

Medium

pottery

Measurements

Diameter of base: 3.8 cm (1 1/2 in.); Overall: 6.9 x 16.1 cm (2 11/16 x 6 5/16 in.)

Credit Line

Gift of John L. Severance 1921.642

You can copy, modify, and distribute this work, all without asking permission. Learn more about CMA's Open Access Initiative.

Location

Not on view

Did You Know?

Kangjin and Buan kilns in Jeolla province were the two major production centers for celadon wares during the Goryeo period (918–1392).

Description

As early as the 800s, the practice of drinking tea and wine became an important part of elite leisure culture in Korea. A wide bowl like this example was especially suitable for drinking powdered tea shaved from a compressed tea cake, the most commonly enjoyed type during the Goryeo period. While the inlaid image of bloomed chrysanthemums decorate the outer wall, that of fish swimming in waves in relief appear on the inner wall of this tea bowl. Such elaborate design tells us that tea wares then were aesthetically invested objects of luxury.