Home > Collections > Korean Art
Bottle with carved and incised design of two phoenixes and peony vinescrolls
mid 12th century

Unidentified, Korean
Goryeo period

Stoneware with celadon glaze
H: 28.5 W: 18.8 cm
Korea

Gift of Charles Lang Freer F1912.96

Enlarge this image | Purchase this image

This bottle, probably made for use in the royal court, is embellished with the motif of phoenixes among peony scrolls, which signifies peace and prosperity. Masterful carving of the design caused the glaze to pool in the deeper cuts. Where the glaze is thick, it appears darker, outlining the motifs and emphasizing the incised details.