Cleveland Museum of Art

Melon-shaped Ewer with Incised Peony Design (lid)

Date

918–1392

Medium

plaster with acrylic paint

Culture

Korea, Goryeo dynasty (918–1392)

Department

Korean Art

Institution

Cleveland Museum of Art

This melon-shaped pitcher is adorned with a delicate drawing that renders chrysanthemum buds with full blossoms in white and black inlays. In Korea, chrysanthemum flowers and leaves were made into both tea and wine. Chrysanthemum wine was enjoyed during the the Double Nine Festival (the ninth day of the ninth month in the lunar calendar) when praying for longevity. The shape of this pitcher resembles a type of yellow muskmelon cultivated mainly in East Asia.

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