In many respects ceramics reached their zenith during the four centuries of the Koryo kingdom (918-1392 AD) when porcellanous stonewares with soft, gentle lines and a fine, bluish-green glaze, known as celadon, were made. Praised for their outstanding beauty as reflected in their sumptuous glazes, refined forms and elegant decorations, they are seen to exemplify one of the highlights of Korean culture. The word ‘celadon’ derives from the colour of the robe worn by Celadon, hero of L’Astrée, a pastoral drama by Honoré d’Urfé, a French dramatist of the seventeenth century. Today the term is used for both Chinese and Korean stonewares with glazes of grey-green to bluish-green hues.

The Koryo dynasty witnessed a hitherto unprecedented rise in the production and development of not only ceramics but also of other arts, notably metalwork, lacquer ware and paintings. Many were made for the use in Buddhist ceremonies, which occupied a vital place within Koryo society. Buddhist motifs also feature strongly in celadon wares as is the case of this bowl with a carved design of overlapping lotus petals. There is no decoration on the inside of the bowl. It dates from the first half of the 12th century, when several wares of this type were made. The greenish-grey coloured glaze is finely crackled, producing a clear, translucent effect. Its glaze, elegant shape and organic motif are typical characteristics of celadons made during the Koryo dynasty (918-1392).