Cup and Cup Stand

last half 12th century

In the thirteenth century, Goryeo-sponsored potters developed a distinctive method for decorating celadon ceramics. Ceramic decorators were able to “draw” in black and white on the pot surface by cutting shallow incisions in the light gray clay of the vessel and then filling the incisions with white or black clay. After polishing, the decorations remained flush with the surface of the vessel as if they had been painted on. The whole piece was then covered with celadon glaze and fired. The new technique was likely inspired by deluxe metalwork of the period, in which bronze and other alloys were inlaid with silver and gold.