The piece I chose to discuss for this assignment is a unique Maebyong vase featuring designs of lotus sprays and cloud scrolls. The vase itself is composed of a celadon-glazed stoneware with an underglaze carved and incised or chiseled decoration. The piece dates back to the 12th century Goryeo Dynasty of Korea.
The Maebyong vase and other porcelain ware of Korea was associated with a new technique involving inlaid black or white barbotineknown as sanggam (Maebyong vase 2009). Barbotine is a French term for ceramic slip, which is a mixture of clay and water used for modeling or decorating pottery (Barbotine 2009). Developed in ancient times and first discovered among the Egyptians, this unique method featured two different techniques for its design and composition. The most common for ancient time periods and most likely used by the Korean artists is the method in which the barbotine is piped onto the object using a quill, horn, or other kind of nozzle the slip would then be done in a contrasting color forming patterns and inscriptions raised above the main surface of the piece (Barbotine 2009). For this particular piece, the mixture of clay and water was ideal in the incised decoration of the lotus sprays and cloud scrolls. This allowed for the delicately executed dcor of the lotus sprays and cloud scrolls to be chiseled beneath the sparkling bluish green celadon glaze (Maebyong vase 2009).
Celadon is a key component to the exquisite decorative art of Korea. Literally translated, celadon refers to a green color of ware, but through time has become known and recognized as the traditional jade-green color of the Korean artist. The use of celadon was the epitome of the Korean porcelain. In fact, artists of the Koryo Dynasty in Korea spent much of their time developing and perfecting celadon (Korean Celadon 2009). The celadon features a simplistic beauty and intricate designs that intrigued even Chinese scholars whom often referred to the Korean celadon as one of the 10 treasures of the world (Korean Celadon 2009). After Korea was invaded and settled by the Japanese in 1910, Korean pottery as an art had nearly disappeared. Pieces that were produced were of much lower quality and poorer design. It wasnt until the 1950s when a group of artists went on a quest to re-discover the Koryo celadon art that the unique process was reborn and once again introduced to the world (Korean Celadon 2009).
The composition of this Maebyong vase is unique in itself, but its the design it creates that gives this particular piece its most intriguing beauty. The artist took great time and detail in chiseling out the lotus sprays and cloud scrolls throughout the vase. The design weaves in and out around the vase never stopping giving the appearance that the artist himself never lifted the chisel until the final line was connected. The delicate floral decoration beneath the celadon glaze features the petals and blossoms of the lotus sprays. The lotus flower is sacred in Buddhism and represents purity as they are often unblemished designs of beauty growing up from the mud in which they root. It is also said to symbolize the princely or perfect man as Confucius often referred to it (Lotus 2002).
Near the bottom of the vase are the weaving cloud scrolls presented in sections rather than connecting all around the vase. The clouds appear to be billowing up from the bottom reaching up to the lotus sprays narrowing at the top and ending. The lotus sprays then take over in a grand sweep of the entire vase becoming the predominant focal point. However, it is the cloud scrolls that present a peculiar story of their own. They are small, few, and placed near the bottom, yet they are also filled with wonder and unique symbolism. The clouds serve as the fog or midst surrounding the muddy bog where the lotus bloom. If you observe the vase from the bottom up you obtain a sense of mystery. Something is about to be revealed, but is at first covered by the clouds or the midst of the land. As you turn the vase and move your eyes upward, you see the clouds backing off, fading away, to reveal the beauty of the lotus sprays. Perhaps the clouds are meant only to accentuate the remainder of the vase, but to me they portray a story of their own.
The Maebyong vase is a true piece of decorative art. Its a treasure in itself as it holds hundreds of years of history within the design, the mixture of the celadon glaze, and the overall composition. The beauty of the vase and the jade green color captures the eye from a distance and is seen as an object of beauty in the form and color alone. Yet upon closer observance, the deeper beauty within is revealed. The time, detail, and special attention given to the lotus sprays and the scrolling clouds tell the story of the artist, of the people, of the time period. Its sweeping motions around the vase create a new story of its own developed differently in the mind of each who observes it. This makes the piece not only an historical piece of art dcor, but also creates a new more modern twist as well. The artwork is a treasure of rich history and artistic design a true gift to grace the presence of any collection.
The Maebyong vase and other porcelain ware of Korea was associated with a new technique involving inlaid black or white barbotineknown as sanggam (Maebyong vase 2009). Barbotine is a French term for ceramic slip, which is a mixture of clay and water used for modeling or decorating pottery (Barbotine 2009). Developed in ancient times and first discovered among the Egyptians, this unique method featured two different techniques for its design and composition. The most common for ancient time periods and most likely used by the Korean artists is the method in which the barbotine is piped onto the object using a quill, horn, or other kind of nozzle the slip would then be done in a contrasting color forming patterns and inscriptions raised above the main surface of the piece (Barbotine 2009). For this particular piece, the mixture of clay and water was ideal in the incised decoration of the lotus sprays and cloud scrolls. This allowed for the delicately executed dcor of the lotus sprays and cloud scrolls to be chiseled beneath the sparkling bluish green celadon glaze (Maebyong vase 2009).
Celadon is a key component to the exquisite decorative art of Korea. Literally translated, celadon refers to a green color of ware, but through time has become known and recognized as the traditional jade-green color of the Korean artist. The use of celadon was the epitome of the Korean porcelain. In fact, artists of the Koryo Dynasty in Korea spent much of their time developing and perfecting celadon (Korean Celadon 2009). The celadon features a simplistic beauty and intricate designs that intrigued even Chinese scholars whom often referred to the Korean celadon as one of the 10 treasures of the world (Korean Celadon 2009). After Korea was invaded and settled by the Japanese in 1910, Korean pottery as an art had nearly disappeared. Pieces that were produced were of much lower quality and poorer design. It wasnt until the 1950s when a group of artists went on a quest to re-discover the Koryo celadon art that the unique process was reborn and once again introduced to the world (Korean Celadon 2009).
The composition of this Maebyong vase is unique in itself, but its the design it creates that gives this particular piece its most intriguing beauty. The artist took great time and detail in chiseling out the lotus sprays and cloud scrolls throughout the vase. The design weaves in and out around the vase never stopping giving the appearance that the artist himself never lifted the chisel until the final line was connected. The delicate floral decoration beneath the celadon glaze features the petals and blossoms of the lotus sprays. The lotus flower is sacred in Buddhism and represents purity as they are often unblemished designs of beauty growing up from the mud in which they root. It is also said to symbolize the princely or perfect man as Confucius often referred to it (Lotus 2002).
Near the bottom of the vase are the weaving cloud scrolls presented in sections rather than connecting all around the vase. The clouds appear to be billowing up from the bottom reaching up to the lotus sprays narrowing at the top and ending. The lotus sprays then take over in a grand sweep of the entire vase becoming the predominant focal point. However, it is the cloud scrolls that present a peculiar story of their own. They are small, few, and placed near the bottom, yet they are also filled with wonder and unique symbolism. The clouds serve as the fog or midst surrounding the muddy bog where the lotus bloom. If you observe the vase from the bottom up you obtain a sense of mystery. Something is about to be revealed, but is at first covered by the clouds or the midst of the land. As you turn the vase and move your eyes upward, you see the clouds backing off, fading away, to reveal the beauty of the lotus sprays. Perhaps the clouds are meant only to accentuate the remainder of the vase, but to me they portray a story of their own.
The Maebyong vase is a true piece of decorative art. Its a treasure in itself as it holds hundreds of years of history within the design, the mixture of the celadon glaze, and the overall composition. The beauty of the vase and the jade green color captures the eye from a distance and is seen as an object of beauty in the form and color alone. Yet upon closer observance, the deeper beauty within is revealed. The time, detail, and special attention given to the lotus sprays and the scrolling clouds tell the story of the artist, of the people, of the time period. Its sweeping motions around the vase create a new story of its own developed differently in the mind of each who observes it. This makes the piece not only an historical piece of art dcor, but also creates a new more modern twist as well. The artwork is a treasure of rich history and artistic design a true gift to grace the presence of any collection.
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