Description
A rare and large Korean glazed ceramic vase measuring 14 ½ inches high, 11 inches diameter at the widest point, this Early Yi Dynasty, 14th/ 15th century, this ancient vase is crafted from a red color terra cotta clay and glazed in a light gray slip coat that still retains its original glossy surface.
It was brought to the US from Japan in the 1920’s and it was identified as being from Korea long before it was purchased by the American original collector who sourced it in Japan. It has an attached label that dates it to the Yi-Dynasty (see photos).
It is true that many ancient objects that we admire in museums today originally were meant to have a practical purpose. And so, with this vessel, in despite of its rarity and esthetic visual appeal, it undoubtedly had a utilitarian, relatively practical purpose rather than being solely an artistic creation meant to be admired. This utilitarian purpose is betrayed by the two deep vertical groves meant to receive two crosswise thick home-spun ropes so the vase could be suspended off the floor; the suspension ropes were furthermore secured at the neck which dips inward as a cone and outward to form the vessel’s rim.
Keeping this vessel off the ground seemed to be of paramount importance for its original owners, indicating that it contained a valuable commodity that had to be protected.
It is often true that utilitarian objects like this provide us with deeper and broader insights into a historical era rather than the objects that delighted the elite classes of a society, and for this reason, today this object can be admired, cherished and collected.
Condition: As a utilitarian object, this vase has suffered commensurate damage, especially to its rim that has been broken and put back together several times during its long useful life. A small part of the also is missing and has been reconstructed. Detailed photos can be made available to a potential buyer. Please contact us if you wish.
