The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of May 13, 2026

A ceramic bowl is shaped like a wide cone flaring from a small, circular base. The pale grayish-green surface is covered in a network of fine cracks. An inlaid floral motif with white petals and dark brown leaves is centered on the exterior. The thin upper rim is marked by small chips and dark discolorations. Shadows pool beneath the flared sides, highlighting the transition from the base to the shallow interior.

Bowl with Fish and Waves in Relief

1200s

Korea, Goryeo dynasty

(918–1392)
pottery
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.)
Gift of John L. Severance 1921.642
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.
  • ?–1921
    (Dr. Alfred Irving Ludlow [1875–1961], Cleveland, OH, sold to the Cleveland Museum of Art)
    1921–
    The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH
  • Goryeo Dynasty: Korea's Age of Enlightenment, 918-1392. San Francisco: Asian Art Museum, 2003.
    Lee, Young-hee. "The Study on Techniques and their Interrelations among Craft Arts of the Goryeo Dynasty [고려시대 공예기법 연구 상호관련성을 중심으로]." Misulsa hakbo 22 (2004): 133–170. www.dbpia.co.kr
    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.
    Sparkles of Jade: Goryeo Celadon [高麗青磁 : ヒスイのきらめき]. Ōsaka: Ōsaka: Shiritsu Tōyō Tōji Bijutsukan, 2018.
  • {{cite web|title=Bowl with Fish and Waves in Relief|url=false|author=|year=1200s|access-date=13 May 2026|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}

Source URL:

https://www.clevelandart.org/art/1921.642