Celadon Gourd-shaped Ewer with Inlaid Parrot Design

This gourd-shaped celadon ewer was made during the Goryeo dynasty and stands 26 cm tall, with a mouth diameter of 3.7 cm, a base diameter of 7.8 cm, and a lid height of 4.8 cm. The lid has a ring attached in a vine scroll design, and the upward-opening mouth is stepped inward to receive the lid, with a slightly convex upper section. A raised band in relief encircles the waist between the upper and lower gourd sections, and the lower gourd sags slightly downward. The glaze is a somewhat dark pale green, with the upper section showing a partial pale yellowish-brown tinge. The lid is carved with a lotus design, and the part of the upper gourd covered by the lid is carved with a cloud-like design. On the lower gourd, a circle filling the entire front is inlaid in white and red slip, containing a pair of parrots, with clouds inlaid in white slip between them. Beneath the spout and the handle, a lotus-leaf design and a willow-branch design are carved respectively. Parrot designs of this kind are generally found in the 12th century on the interior of bowls or the tops of covered boxes; in this case, however, the parrot design has been rendered in inlay technique on the lower gourd section. This ewer is a work of the 12th century with a very rare form.

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Where it is

Region

Yongsan-gu, Seoul

Designation

Treasure · 보물