Iron-glazed Prunus Vase with Inlaid Floral Design
Unknown Artist
1100s-1200s
Medium
iron-black ware
Dimensions
h. 29.7 cm · diameter of mouth 5.1 cm
Classification
Ceramic
Department
Korean Art
Museum
Cleveland Museum of Art
Credit
Purchase from the J. H. Wade Fund
Accession Number
1961.270
About this artwork
As early as the seventh century, the practice of drinking tea and wine became an important part of elite culture in Korea. Once used to store alcoholic beverages, this type of vase features a wide body followed by a sharply rounded shoulder, a short neck, and a small opening. Most of the remaining examples no longer have a lid, but originally it may have had a lid that not only covered the opening, but also served as a cup. Against a brownish-sepia underglaze surface, three ginseng leaves with r...