Flower-shaped Celadon Incense Bowl with Lotus Petals in Relief

Goryeo Period (12th Century)

This is an incense bowl (hyangwan) of unusual form overall, resembling a flower pot in its general profile. The mouth flares outward in a broad floral contour, while the lower portion of the undulating body is encircled by a double band of boldly rendered raised lotus-petal decoration (yŏnp'anmun) in relief. The foot ring flares outward and, like the mouth, is articulated in a corresponding floral form. The glaze is a pale green tone applied unevenly across the surface, with a pronounced lustrous quality. While incense bowls were produced in considerable number during the Goryeo period for placement on Buddhist altars, examples fashioned with this degree of elegance and refinement are exceptionally rare; as an outstanding work of its kind, it is believed to have been produced at the Sadang-ri kilns in Gangjin during the twelfth century.