Art Institute of Chicago

Plum Vase (Maebyeong) with Clouds, Cranes, and Children Motifs

Korea

Date

Goryeo dynasty (918–1392), late 12th century

Medium

Stoneware with red and white slip and celadon glaze

Culture

Korea

Department

Arts of Asia

Institution

Art Institute of Chicago

Celadon or green-glazed stoneware is one of the greatest achievements of Korea’s Goryeo dynasty. Goryeo potters absorbed Chinese techniques and surpassed that country’s examples by further refining a technique known as sanggam. The time-consuming and complex process of sanggam involves carving a motif, then filling it with white and/or red clay (which turns black after firing) before applying the final bluish-green glaze. This vase is decorated with two large oval-like frames containing a scene of children playing in a bamboo garden, and a motif of cranes flying through clouds, symbolizing a wish for fertility and longevity.

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