The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of December 21, 2025

Bowl with Peony Design in Relief

1200s

Korea, Goryeo dynasty

(918–1392)
pottery
Diameter of mouth: 18.1 cm (7 1/8 in.); Overall: 8.3 cm (3 1/4 in.)
Gift of John L. Severance 1921.690
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 seventh century, 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. A large bloomed peony in relief on the inside of this tea bowl may have made the moment of drinking tea more enjoyable.
  • Goryeo Dynasty: Korea's Age of Enlightenment, 918-1392. San Francisco: Asian Art Museum, 2003.
    Jang, Nam-won. "The Characteristics of Mid-Goryeo Celadons with Molded Design [高麗中期壓出陽刻 靑瓷의 性格]." Korean Journal of Art History vol. 242-243, 9 (2004): 95-120. 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 Peony Design in Relief|url=false|author=|year=1200s|access-date=21 December 2025|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}

Source URL:

https://www.clevelandart.org/art/1921.690