Image of Gallery in South Kensington
On display at V&A South Kensington
Ceramics, Room 143, The Timothy Sainsbury Gallery

Wine Cup Stand

Late 13th Century (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Ceramics with a clear greenish-grey glaze known as celadon were made in Korea throughout the Koryo period (918-1392). Around 1150, a new technique for decorating this celadon-glazed pottery was developed. Koryo Potters set coloured materials into the clay surface before the wares were glazed. After firing, the pattern inlaid in this way remained clearly visible beneath the transparent glaze.

The potter who made this wine cup and stand has combined black and white inlay materials to create a pattern of delicate floral sprays. These are set into the surface of the stand and the sides of the cup. The flowers are wild chrysanthemums, a common sight in Korea and a popular motif of this period.


Object details

Category
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 2 parts.

  • Cups
  • Stand
Materials and techniques
Thrown, carved and inlaid Stoneware
Brief description
Celadon Cup and Stand with Inlaid Chrysanthemum Design
Physical description
This has a typical form of celadon cup and stand with the cup and the flange in the shape of a flower. Each petal of the cup has a chrysanthemum spray inlaid on the exterior, and each of the eight sides of the flange is also decorated with a chrysanthemum spray. A deep greenish glaze is evenly applied to the entire cup and stand. There are traces of silica spurs on the foot of the cup and traces of fireclay and sand spurs on the foot of the stand. It is assumed that this set was made at a kiln site in Yucheon-ri, Buan, in the late 13th century.
Dimensions
  • Height: 11.5cm
Style
Credit line
Given by Dr W. M. Tapp
Subjects depicted
Summary
Ceramics with a clear greenish-grey glaze known as celadon were made in Korea throughout the Koryo period (918-1392). Around 1150, a new technique for decorating this celadon-glazed pottery was developed. Koryo Potters set coloured materials into the clay surface before the wares were glazed. After firing, the pattern inlaid in this way remained clearly visible beneath the transparent glaze.

The potter who made this wine cup and stand has combined black and white inlay materials to create a pattern of delicate floral sprays. These are set into the surface of the stand and the sides of the cup. The flowers are wild chrysanthemums, a common sight in Korea and a popular motif of this period.
Bibliographic reference
National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage. Daejeon: National Research Institue of Cultural Heritage, 2013, p. 99.
Collection
Accession number
C.87&A-1930

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Record createdFebruary 3, 2000
Record URL
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