INLAID GORYEO CELADON BOWL
鑲嵌高麗青瓷碗

Description: This is a typical Korean Goryeo dynasty celadon bowl with white-slip inlay decorations. The interior is inlaid with three pomegranate sprays alternating with three chrysanthemum sprays. The internal bottom of the bowl has an inlaid pattern consisting of a chrysanthemum flower within a double-ring surrounded by a cloud collar. Below the rim on the internal side there is a narrow band of inlaid grass-type lines. The exterior is inlaid below the rim with a wide band filled with repeated chrysanthemum flower patterns within leaf scrolls. In addition, there are a further four chrysanthemum sprays spaced under the wide band. Goryeo celadon reached its high peak between the first half of the 12th century and the end of the 13th century. The signature jade (or olive green) glaze is thought to be a result of Chinese influence from the Ru wares of the Northern Song dynasty. This bowl’s inlay technique, or ‘saggam’, is widely recognised to be a unique Korean invention, developed during the second half of the 12th century. However, the rough glaze and inlay indicate that this bowl was most likely made towards the end of the Goryeo dynasty.

Provenance: An American collection

Reference: For a similar bowl of this type, see Lot 116 from Christie's New York "Japanese and Korean Art", 17 March 2009