The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of September 4, 2026

A celadon, a muted gray-green glaze, vase features an incised peony flower, widening to rounded shoulders from a flared base and narrowing back in at the neck. The peony curves across the body in fine lines, its large petals and leaves blooming at the widest point. The smooth surface shows faint crackling throughout, with small chips along the bottom edge and the jagged rim.

Prunus Vase with Incised Peony Design

1100s–1200s

Korea, Goryeo dynasty

(918–1392)
celadon
Overall: 31.5 cm (12 3/8 in.)
Gift of John L. Severance 1921.645
Location: Not on view

Did You Know?

Prunus vases are often believed to contain a branch of plum blossoms, but recent researches reveal that these vases with a lid also were used to contain cooking liquid such as sesame oil.

Description

As early as the seventh century, the practice of drinking tea and wine became an important part of elite culture in Korea. Once used to store alcoholic beverages, this type of vase features a wide body followed by a sharply rounded shoulder, a short neck and a small opening. Most of the remaining examples no longer have a lid, but originally it may have had a lid that not only covered the opening, but also served as a cup.
  • Yi, Jong-min. "A Study on the Celadons Maebyeong of the Goryeo Dynasty [고려시대 청자매병 연구]." Kangjwa misulsa (2006): 157-190. www.dbpia.co.kr
    Goryeo Dynasty: Korea's Age of Enlightenment, 918-1392. San Francisco: Asian Art Museum, 2003.
    Goryeo: The Glory of Korea [대고려, 그 찬란한 도전]. Seoul: National Museum of Korea, 2018.
  • {{cite web|title=Prunus Vase with Incised Peony Design|url=false|author=|year=1100s–1200s|access-date=04 September 2026|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}

Source URL:

https://www.clevelandart.org/art/1921.645