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Wine bottle
12th century

Unidentified, Korean
Goryeo period

Stoneware with black and white slips under celadon glaze
H: 34.4 W: 20.3 cm
Korea

Gift of Charles Lang Freer F1909.31

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Ginseng root, long a famous product of Korea, was consumed for its supposed ability to enhance vitality and longevity. The ginseng-leaf motif on this bottle was believed to transfer its powers to the wine within. The potter scratched the design out of the layer of black slip (liquid clay) and filled it with white slip before coating the bottle with green glaze.