Lobed Cup and Stand with Chrysanthemum Motif
Goryeo dynasty (918–1392), 12th-13th century
Medium
Stoneware with red and white slip and celadon glaze
Dimensions
H.: 11.3 cm (4 1/2 in.); Diam.: 14.7 cm (5 3/4 in.)
Classification
drinking vessel
Department
Arts of Asia
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
193069
Rights
Public Domain
Art Historical Context
This exquisite lobed cup and stand, with chrysanthemum motifs, hails from Korea's Goryeo dynasty918–1392), specifically the 12th–13th century—a golden age for celadon ceramics. Crafted as a drinking vessel, it just 11.3 cm tall with a 14.7 cm diameter its flower-like lobed form evoking the petals of a blooming chrysanthemum. The chrysanthemum, a symbol of longevity and nobility in East Asian culture, was a favored motif in Goryeo art, reflecting the era's refined aesthetic and Buddhist influences. Made of stoneware decorated with red and white slip before a signature celadon glaze, the piece showcases masterful inlaid techniques (known as sanggam). Artisans applied contrasting slips into incised designs, then fired the vessel at high temperatures to achieve the glaze's signature crackled, jade-green luster—prized for its subtle beauty and resemblance to imperial jade. Celadon ware from Goryeo was exported widely, earning international acclaim and symbolizing Korea's ceramic innovation. Today, housed in the Art Institute of Chicago's Arts of Asia department, this cup invites us to appreciate the Goryeo potters' precision and elegance, offering a tangible link to medieval Korean courtly life and artistry.
About the Artist
Unknown
The artist designated as "Unknown" in our virtual museum's collection exemplifies a poignant chapter in art history: creators whose identities have faded into obscurity despite the enduring power of their work. With only one known artwork attributed to them in our holdings, this figure represents countless anonymous hands that shaped visual culture across centuries. Museums worldwide, including th...