Small Korean Celadon Inlay Vases Goryeo Dynasty - a Pair

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On offer is a near pair antique Korean ceramic vase from the end of Goryeo to the beginning of Joseon … Read more On offer is a near pair antique Korean ceramic vase from the end of Goryeo to the beginning of Joseon period (circa 14-15th). The vases feature celadon crackled glaze with underglaze inlay design in black and white. This type of vase is considered a transitional piece made toward the end of Goryeo to the beginning of Joseon Yi dynasty with the style straddling between Celadon and Buncheong (Mishima) ware (may be identified as Zogan-Mishima). The small bottle form vase like these was used to contain wine or oil. The form is slightly irregular from potting, and the rustic design has a strong folky charm. The main part of the inlay on the body features cascading lines in black and white slip inlays, which likely conveys the sweeping willow branches, a characteristic motif of ceramics from Yi dynasty, according to the research by Goro Akaboshi, the collector and author of the reference book below. Between the cascade willows, one vase features tight white dots design while the other zigzagged line motif. The overall design was simple, abstract and quick to execute. The vases appear to be an assembled pair. Besides the slightly different design, one is slightly taller at 5.85 inches while the other one is 5.75 inch.
A charming authentic pair, although the execution was a bit crude with visible scattered black kiln debris. The bases retain heavy kiln grits as well, indicating that these vases were likely made for daily use in the households.
For a similar vase see plate no 59 in the book "Five Centuries of Korean Ceramic Pottery and Porcelain of the Yi Dynasty" by Goro Akaboshi and Heiichiro Nakamaru.
For another example, see lot 32a in Christie's sale 8138 on April 26, 1995 "Korean Works of Art" See less