Click the image for a closer view.Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge
Cup and stand, Koryô Dynasty (918–1392) first half of the 12th Century, Korea
Stoneware with celadon glaze; H. 2 7/16 in. (6.2 cm), Stand: H. 1 7/8 in. (4.8 cm)
By permission of the Syndics of the Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge
This cup-and-stand set epitomizes the elegant simplicity of plain celadon from the first half of the twelfth century. Both pieces are undecorated, highlighting their clean-cut forms and ideal proportions; the celadon glaze is a blue-green hue with virtually no crackles. The type—a half-spherical cup and a stand with a circular "tray" and domed center—was made in Song China (960–1279) as well and can also be found in Koryô metal prototypes. The Koryô potter, therefore, was replicating a known model. But since the clay and glaze compositions vary from those of Chinese celadon, the Koryô piece achieves a different visual effect, subtle yet perceptible.
The best-known example of refined, undecorated celadon produced during the first half of the twelfth century is a group of objects unearthed from the tomb of King Injong (r. 1122–46). The Fitzwilliam cup-and-stand set has a stronger blue tint in its glaze color and is not as flawless as the Injong tomb pieces, but it clearly demonstrates a comparable dedication to craftsmanship.
