East Asia, Korea, Silla Kingdom, ca. 4th to 5th century CE. An amazing and remarkably large example of a high-fired grey stoneware vase of a style known as a "kobae" for its openwork conical foot. The body of the vessel is egg-shaped, with the top quarter open to form a wide mouth with an unpronounced rim. The exterior is encircled by lightly incised, thin lines and concentric circles, giving it a checkerboard-like appearance; this ends above the foot so that the bottom third of the vase is smooth. Size: 12.75" W x 16.25" H (32.4 cm x 41.3 cm)
Aside from Chinese stoneware, Korean stoneware from this time period is the oldest known high-fired ware in the world. To make it, Korean artisans had to generate kiln temperatures greater than 1000 C! The characteristic grey color of this vessel and others like it was caused by the reduction of oxygen in the kiln's inner chamber. Vessels like this one have been found in high status tombs, containing offerings. Indeed, some fascinating offerings have been excavated from Silla period tombs - like soybean paste, red pepper paste, kimchi, and fermented fish sauce. This one probably held a liquid of some sort - perhaps wine.
This piece has been tested using thermoluminescence (TL) analysis and has been found to be ancient and of the period stated (about 1600 years plus or minus 10%). A full report will accompany purchase.
Provenance: private Los Angeles, California, USA collection, acquired from local estate between the 1980s and 2000s
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#159563
Condition
TL holes to base and top rim. Base reattached to vessel, else intact and quite excellent.