Cabinet N: Shelf 3
Celadon Wares in Asia
Although Celadon is the term for a kind of translucent crackle glaze applied to porcelain and stoneware, it has come to mean wares that are specifically greenish blue or gray in color, particularly those from China and Korea. The trademark greenish hues of celadon wares were achieved through the use of clays and glazes that contained small amounts of iron, which turns green in a reduction firing atmosphere. (When there is insufficient oxygen in the air in a kiln, oxygen molecules are pulled from the ceramics themselves; it is this change in chemical composition that changes the color of the ware.) The thickness of the glaze and type of clay determine the color after firing, and getting the “right” effect is extremely difficult. The thin watery glaze runs off high points in the design and pools in impressions, creating dazzling gradations in color, especially in incised and molded designs.
Jade was prized in East Asia, and the ability to imitate its color in porcelain was highly valued. In the Goryeo Period (918-1392) in Korea, a celadon ewer or teacup was more precious than gold or silver. The high estimation of celadon was not limited to Korea, but extended to discerning connoisseurs at the court of the Northern Song dynasty (960–1127) in China. Celadon was quite popular in Japan as well, where it was both imported and manufactured in a native version. Celadon is considered by many to have reached its height during the Goryeo period, and these wares continue to be prized by collectors today.
Korean
Shallow flat-bottomed bowl with molded floral designs
stoneware with celadon glaze
1 15/16 x 6 3/4 x 6 3/4 in. (4.8 x 17 x 17 cm)
Gift of Bruce and Inta Hasenkamp and Museum purchase made possible by Elder and Mrs. Sang-Yong Nam
Chinese
Bowl
Stoneware with celadon glaze
1 15/16 in x 6 1/4 in (4.9 cm x 15.8 cm)
Gift of Mr. Jennis R. Galloway through the Friends of the Museum of Art
Japanese
Leaf-shaped dish
Stoneware with celadon glaze
1 5/16 in. x 7 1/16 in. x 4 13/16 in. ( 3.3 cm x 18 cm x 12.2 cm )
Gift of Marybelle B. Hanna
Japanese
Cylindrical bottle with short neck, decorated with inlaid white slip, glazed with a deep grey-green celadon
Stoneware with celadon glaze and slip decoration
10 5/8 in. ( 26.99 cm )
Transfer from the College of Architecture and Design
Korean
Small Oil Bottle with inlaid chrysanthemum designs
stoneware with celadon glaze
2 13/16 x 4 1/16 x 4 1/16 in. (7 x 10.2 x 10.2 cm)
Gift of Bruce and Inta Hasenkamp and Museum purchase made possible by Elder and Mrs. Sang-Yong Nam
Korean
Shallow lobed bowl
Stoneware with crackled celadon glaze
1 1/8 x 4 3/8 x 4 3/8 in. (2.8 x 11 x 11 cm)
Gift of Toshiko Ogita in memory of Tomoo Ogita
Korean
Bowl with incised pattern of paired phoenixes
stoneware with celadon glaze
2 3/8 x 7 5/8 x 7 5/8 in. (6 x 19.3 x 19.3 cm)
Gift of Bruce and Inta Hasenkamp and Museum purchase made possible by Elder and Mrs. Sang-Yong Nam
Korean
Buncheong ware shallow bowl with stamped, inlaid floral designs
Stoneware with celadon glaze and inlaid stamped designs
2 1/16 x 3 3/8 x 3 3/8 in. (5.2 x 8.5 x 8.5 cm)
Gift of the Reverend and Mrs. Philip L. Schenk for the James Marshall Plumer Memorial Collection
Korean
Small Oil Bottle
Stoneware with crackled celadon glaze
2 3/16 x 3 x 3 in. (5.5 x 7.5 x 7.5 cm)
Gift of Bruce and Inta Hasenkamp and Museum purchase made possible by Elder and Mrs. Sang-Yong Nam
Korean
Pear-shaped ewer in the Goryeo style
Porcelain? with inlaid with white slip under celadon glaze
10 1/2 in. x 6 13/16 in. ( 26.7 cm x 17.3 cm )
Gift of Bruce and Inta Hasenkamp and Museum purchase made possible by Elder and Mrs. Sang-Yong Nam
Korean
Kanghwa Bowl
stoneware with celadon glaze
2 1/16 x 7 1/16 x 7 1/16 in. (5.2 x 17.8 x 17.8 cm)
Gift of Bruce and Inta Hasenkamp and Museum purchase made possible by Elder and Mrs. Sang-Yong Nam
Korean
Cosmetic Box with inlaid peony (?) design: 6-lobed shape to lip top
stoneware with inlaid decoration under celadon glaze
1 1/8 x 3 3/16 x 3 3/16 in. (2.8 x 8 x 8 cm);7/8 x 2 9/16 x 2 9/16 in. (2.2 x 6.5 x 6.5 cm)
Gift of Bruce and Inta Hasenkamp and Museum purchase made possible by Elder and Mrs. Sang-Yong Nam