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Foliate Bowl-and-Saucer Sets

Early 12th century

Korea, South Jeolla Province

Stoneware with glaze

Bowls, H. 3 5/8 x Diam. 5 3/4 in. (9.2 x 14.6 cm); saucers, H. 1 1/8 x Diam. 6 1/4 in. (2.9 x 15.9 cm)

Asia Society, New York: Mr. and Mrs. John D. Rockefeller 3rd Collection, 1979.193.1-4

Provenance

John D. Rockefeller 3rd, New York, NY; acquired from Mayuyama & Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan, 1965.

The Asia Society, New York, NY, bequest of John D. Rockefeller 3rd, New York, NY, 1979.

This type of bowl-and-saucer sets are rather unusual among green-glazed stoneware, more commonly identified as celadon, produced during the Koryo dynasty. These two may have been made as part of a larger set and used as containers for delicacies during a dinner or banquet at the royal court. The graceful and crisply articulated floral shape and the beautiful color of the glaze indicate that these pieces were luxury goods for the court. The subtle crackles sprinkled throughout the body of the bowls add to their allure and are not considered a flaw. The "kingfisher color" of Koryo celadon was highly praised by contemporary Song Chinese, whose own diverse traditions of celadon production initially inspired the Korean creations.