Page 60 - Symbols_of_Identity_Korean_Ceramics_from the Chang Collection

ith a wide dish-shaped mouth, this jar is shaped like
Wan inverted egg and has a concave base. Two oppos-
ing sides of the body have been flattened and applied with a
raised-relief design of a tall patch of bamboo under which
a crane stands, peering upwards. The celadon glaze on this
jar is severely degraded. There are concentric “U”-shaped
impressions inside the jar and lines of small rectangular im-
pressions on the outside.

The applied low-relief design on this jar is highly unusual.
With the exception of ceramics that may be considered
sculptural, Goryeo celadons were usually decorated by in-
cising, shallow carving, molding, inlaying, or painting. The
composition of a large floral or vegetal motif taking up the
central longitudinal axis with smaller figures, usually cranes,
on the ground, began during the twelfth century. Vessels
with flattened sides were produced during the thirteenth
39. century (compare with cat. 42).
Jar
13th century, Goryeo The degraded celadon glaze is likely the effect of burial as
TL results: fired between 600 & 900 years ago well as less than ideal firing conditions that prevented the
Stoneware with remnants of celadon glaze glaze from fusing with the body. Although there are potting
H: 30.4 cm, W: 20.2 cm
rings around the outside of the bottle, the concentric “U”-
shaped impressions on the inside, and lines of small square
impressions on the outside, suggest the form was shaped
partly through striking the walls of the jar with a wooden
cord-wrapped paddle and wood anvil.

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