Bird Shaped Ewer with Daoist Priest
Goryeo dynasty (918–1392), 12th century
Medium
Stoneware with celadon glaze and underglaze incised decoration
Dimensions
21.4 × 17.7 × 13.2 cm (8 1/2 × 7 × 5 1/2 in.)
Classification
ewer (vessel)
Department
Arts of Asia
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
22525
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
One of the notable artistic accomplishments of the Goryeo period was the production of sculptural celadon ceramics, such as this ingenious duck-shaped vessel. The duck’s extended tail is swept upwards to form a handle, which supports a human figure holding a bowl that wine would have been poured into, and its beak is fashioned into a spout. The human figure wears a headdress and a flowing robe, indicating that he is a Daoist immortal and suggesting that this ewer was used for ritual or ceremonia...
About the Artist
Unknown
The artist designated as "Unknown" in our virtual museum's collection exemplifies a poignant chapter in art history: creators whose identities have faded into obscurity despite the enduring power of their work. With only one known artwork attributed to them in our holdings, this figure represents countless anonymous hands that shaped visual culture across centuries. Museums worldwide, including th...