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Tea Bowl — Korea, Joseon dynasty (1392–1910)

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Written by: Umut ÇelikResearcher · Old Master Paintings
Ceramics & Glass · Catalogue no. 19790
Korea, Joseon dynasty (1392–1910)

Tea Bowl

StatusReference work · Not for sale
Held byCleveland Museum of Art
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This type of wide-mouthed bowl was used every day in Korea, not exclusively for tea drinking. But when it was introduced to Japan around the early 16th century, its imperfect appearance, which evokes the aesthetics of <em>wabi-sabi, </em>caused it to be repurposed as a tea bowl. Korean tea bowls were circulated as a item of foreign luxury among Japanese military elites. This type of tea bowl may have been produced in one of the kilns established and operated by the trading office (Waegwan) in Busan, southern Gyeongsang province, as an export item for Japanese tea bowl collectors.

Artist / MakerKorea, Joseon dynasty (1392–1910)
Date1600s
Culture / OriginKorea, Joseon dynasty (1392–1910)
Mediumglazed stoneware
DimensionsDiameter of mouth: 14.6 cm (5 3/4 in.); Overall: 8.9 cm (3 1/2 in.)
DepartmentKorean Art
TypeCeramic
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Image & data: Cleveland Museum of Art, CC0 / Public Domain.

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