Wine cup with inlaid design of cranes flying among clouds

Accession Number
2004/1.247

Title
Wine cup with inlaid design of cranes flying among clouds

Artist(s)
Korean

Artist Nationality
Korean (culture or style)

Object Creation Date
14th century

Medium & Support
stoneware with celadon glaze and inlaid slip designs

Dimensions
2 1/16 x 4 1/8 x 4 1/8 in. (5.2 x 10.4 x 10.4 cm)

Credit Line
Gift of Bruce and Inta Hasenkamp and Museum purchase made possible by Elder and Mrs. Sang-Yong Nam

Label copy
Every clay pot tells the story of its making. The milky quality of the glaze on the inside of this bowl and the celery green color on the outside reveal that it was exposed to too much oxygen during the firing process—probably because of its placement in the kiln.
The design, on the other hand, is perfect. Cranes flying among clouds is one of the signature motifs of the Goryeo period, and here it is executed with delicacy and sensitivity to the bowl’s shape. On the exterior, chrysanthemum roundels alternate with a floral arabesque.

Physical Description

This bowl dates from the 14th century when the beauty of the decoration was highly valued more than basic color. It is covered with inlaid designs on both the inner and outer walls. On its inerior rim are inlaid foliage scrolls in white, while the inner wall is decorated with black-and-white inlaid cranes in four places against the background filled with inlaid clouds. At the center of its inner base is also inlaid a chrysanthemum enclircled by a double line, which is then bordered with a row of yeoui-head design. The glaze on the outer surface is poorly fused, and has been entirely repaired.
[Korean Collection, University of Michigan Museum of Art (2014) p.122)
 



Primary Object Classification
Ceramic

Primary Object Type
cup

Additional Object Classification(s)
Decorative Arts

Collection Area
Asian

Rights
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Keywords
Chrysanthemum (genus)
celadon (glaze)
ceramic (material)
inlays (decorations)
stoneware (pottery)

2 Related Resources

Cabinet P: Shelf 2
(Part of: Albertine Monroe-Brown Study-Storage Gallery)
Celadon & Jade
(Part of: Tremel Ceramic Production Collection)

& Author Notes

Web Use Permitted

On display

UMMA Gallery Location ➜ AMH, 2nd floor ➜ 205 (Albertine Monroe-Brown Study-Storage Gallery) ➜ Cabinet P ➜ Shelf 2