Home > Collections > Korean Art
Small jar, adapted to use as a tea caddy
first half of 17th century

Unidentified, Korean
Joseon period

Stoneware (unvitrified porcelain) with iron pigment under transparent glaze; gold lacquer repairs; ivory lid
H: 6.9 W: 8.8 cm
Korea

Gift of Charles Lang Freer F1901.102a-b

Enlarge this image | Purchase this image

This small jar with rounded body and wide mouth is a utilitarian shape commonly made at regional kilns in Korea. Such vessels became popular in Japan as tea-ceremony utensils, either as tea bowls or, in small sizes like this jar, as containers for powdered tea. (The ivory lid was made in Japan).