Celadon Headrest
Headrest
Headrest in a conical shape. Smooth base, rounded lying area. Sidewalls with patterns: Upper and lower decor-ribbon, broken surfaces. Rests of three fire-supports on the glazed bottom.
Object ID
Korea_008
Age
Koryō Period, 918 – 1392 AD
Material
Ceramics / Celadon
Color
green
Height
9.4 cm
Length
19.6 cm
Length (base)
12.4 cm
Width
10 cm
Width (base)
7 cm
Condition
Very Good
Price
on request
Description
The headrest has a smooth base and a conical shape. The bottom is rectangular and for the head enlarged to a rounded lying area. The rest area is continous glazed, undecorated and has craquelures. On the side-walls are beautiful patterns: each an upper and a lower decor-ribbon with tendrils. In between the areas are designed with motifs of flowers and leaves. The edges of the decoration motifs show oxydation. On the glazed bottom are craquelures and rests of three fire-supports. Those traces bear witness that the object during the firing process was held by small pebbles or nubs of quartz or clay. After the burning the supports were removed and left residues.
The production process for such an artifact was difficult. Firstly, the patterns were carved with a special knife and then cut through. This kakkibōp-technique [1], a particular Korean decoration technique, challenged excellent skills from the craftsmen and high precision. It was only applied on valuable and luxurious celadon wares like headrests. Proceedings in burning and drying made those objects very fragil.
During the Koryo period headrests were very popular objects to escape the heat in summer-time. However, it is known that in China head supports were also produced for the grave cult. [2] (HV)
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[1] Choi, Kun (2000): Das Geheimnis des Koryō- Seladons (10. – 14. Jh.). In: Handbuch der Koreanischen Kunst. Steinzeug und Seladon. Wasmuth Verlag Tübingen. 57 – 65
[2] Wiesner, Ulrich (1983): Chinesische und japanische Keramik. In: museum (Dez. 1983): Museum für Ostasiatische Kunst Köln. Westermann Verlag. Braunschweig. 70