The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of October 3, 2022

Melon-shaped Ewer with Incised Peony Design

청자 음각 모란무늬 참외모양 주자 (靑磁陰刻牧丹文瓜形注子)

1200s

Part of a set. See all set records

Korea, Goryeo period

(918-1392)

Pottery

Vessel only: 18.3 cm (7 3/16 in.)

Gift of John L. Severance 1921.618

Location

not on view

Fun Fact

The shape of this pitcher resembles a type of yellow muskmelon cultivated mainly in East Asia.

Description

This melon-shaped pitcher is adorned with a delicate drawing that renders chrysanthemum buds with full blossoms in white and black inlays. In Korea, chrysanthemum flowers and leaves were made into both tea and wine. Chrysanthemum wine was enjoyed during the the Double Nine Festival (the ninth day of the ninth month in the lunar calendar) when praying for longevity.

Provenance
?-1921
Dr. A. I. Ludlow [1875-1961], Cleveland, OH, sold to the Cleveland Museum of Art
1921-
The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH
Citations
Goryeo Dynasty: Korea's Age of Enlightenment, 918-1392. San Francisco: Asian Art Museum, 2003.
Jang, Nam-won. "The Tea and Celadons during the Goryeo Dynasty : Considering the Celadon Tea Utensils [고려시대 茶文化와 靑瓷]." Misulsa nondan (2007): 129-162. www.dbpia.co.kr
Goryeo: The Glory of Korea [대고려, 그 찬란한 도전]. Seoul: National Museum of Korea, 2018.
Source URL: https://www.clevelandart.org/art/1921.618