Shard
Unknown Artist
15th century
Medium
Pottery
Dimensions
Largest shard: H. 3 in. (7.6 cm); Diam. 5 3/8 in. (13.7 cm) Smallest shard: H. 1 in. (2.5 cm)
Classification
Ceramics
Culture & Period
Korea · Joseon dynasty (1392–1910)
Department
Asian Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of John and Betty Menke, 1978
Accession Number
1978.531.50
Art Historical Context
Welcome to the intriguing "Shard," a poignant fragment of 15th-century Korean pottery the Joseon dynasty (2–1910). These ceramic pieces, gifted to the Metropolitan Museum of Art by John Betty Menke in 8, include a largest shard measuring 3 inches (7.6 cm) high and 5⅜ inches (13.7 cm) in diameter, alongside a smaller one at just 1 inch (2.5 cm) high. Displayed in the Asian Art, they offer a tactile glimpse into Joseon-era craftsmanship, where pottery was central to daily life and ritual. The Joseon period marked a golden age for Korean ceramics, blending functionality with subtle elegance. Tho...