Buncheong tea bowl with overall slip coating, Kohiki type

This is a Kohiki tea bowl with two ears on both sides. It is extremely rare.

Judging from these decorations, it is likely that they were originally ritual vessels used for ancestral worship.

When Confucianism became the state religion during the Joseon Dynasty, ancestor worship became mandatory in every household, even for the common people.

Ritual vessels were originally made of bronze, but the demand for ritual vessels increased dramatically and could not be met by metal vessels alone, so ceramic vessels came to be used by everyone except for a select few privileged classes.

Ritual vessels made from Kohiki, Buncheong porcelain, or white porcelain from folk kilns are based on the original shapes of bronze vessels, but are made with original shapes and designs that are completely different from the originals, and their unrestrained nature is all the more appealing.

The ears on both sides are attached in a way that they slightly protrude from the edge. They have been resilvered, but judging from their shape, it is possible that they were originally complete without any resilvering.

The inside and outside are generously coated with white paint, and a thick layer of transparent glaze is applied on top.

The white makeup has a slight yellowish tint, and the crazing that appears throughout and the iron spots that can be seen in places create a tasteful landscape.

The area is thoroughly covered in white, even up to the hilltop, creating a captivating sight.

It comes with a treasure bag and a box. The box is also specially made, and it shows how much the previous owner treasured it.

[Responsible for: Mao Otsuka]

✳︎This work will be available until 12:00 on December 20th.