Vase with Chrysanthemums, Cranes and Lotus-leaves

Vase

Bulbous vase (12th/13th Century) with a decoration of chrysanthemums, cranes and lotus-leaves. Celadon glaze all around. 

Object ID
Korea_022

Age
13th century AD

Material
Ceramics – celadon glaze

Color
green / white / black

Height
(coming soon)

Height (neck)
1.8 cm

Height (standring)
1.3 cm

Diameter
19 cm

Diameter (neck)
9.8 cm

Diameter (bottom)
8.8 cm

Condition
Very Good

Price
on request

Description

The vase has a concave mouth, a bulbous body and a small standring. It is completely glazed included the bottom. Under the mouth is a wreath of fifteen fields with inside stylized lotus-leaves with pearl-decor. [1] Each field is demarcated by a separate black vertical line. As a whole the shoulder-decoration is framed by white lines.The main motifs are around the body. These are five double-lined inlayed medaillons with each three white chrysanthemums with black blossom-stamps and fine tendrils. On the open areas in between are flying cranes and stylized clouds. This main field is framed by whoite surrounding lines. The decoration around the lower part of the vase consists of thirteen „sets“ of three-layer rows of lotus-leaves. The standring shows minor traces of oxydation.
The patterns evoke symbolic references: The crane is one of the symbols of longevity, the lotus an image for purity and one of the eight preciousness of Buddhism, the chrysanthemum a sign for duration and a long life. (HV)

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[1] Bang, Byung-sun (2000): Bauchige Vase mit Päoniendekor. In: Handbuch der koreanischen Kunst. Steinzeug und Seladon. Ernst Wasmuth Verlag. Tübingen. 200 und 302.