Artwork Page for Box (lid)

Details / Information for Box (lid)

Box (lid)

청자 상감 국화·당초무늬 합 [靑磁象嵌菊花唐草文母子盒]

918–1392

Korea, Goryeo dynasty

(918–1392)
View all records in artwork set
Medium
pottery
Measurements
Overall: 1.9 x 10.1 cm (3/4 x 4 in.)
Credit Line
Gift of John L. Severance 1921.635.b
Public Domain
You can copy, modify, and distribute this work, all without asking permission. Learn more about CMA's Open Access Initiative.
Location
Not on view
Print
?

Did You Know?

This ceramic container was used to store either incense or cosmetics.

Description

Celadons, spoons, seals, and bronze mirrors were the most common burial objects in tombs during the Goryeo period (918–1392). Once used to contain colored powder, rouge, and eyebrow gel for makeup, this small container was one of the standard goods that furnished tombs of the elites. Both women and men used the grain powder of rice or millet for whitening their skin, safflower extract for rouge, and plant ash or soot for eyebrow gel. Yet, natural-looking makeup seems to have been the most favorable one in Korea according to the travelogue by Xu Jing (1091–1153), the Chinese diplomat who visited Korea in 1123.
A celadon, a gray-green glaze, circular lid features a surface webbed with fine cracks. At the center, a large flower with radiating petals is encircled by a scrolling vine of ten smaller flowers with black outlines and white centers. A border of small, black V-shaped marks rings the outer edge. A horizontal crack bisects the surface.

Box (lid)

918–1392

Korea, Goryeo dynasty (918–1392)

See Also

Visually Similar by AI

Contact Us

The information about this object, including provenance, may not be currently accurate. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please fill out the appropriate request form linked below:

Update or Correct Artwork Information

Imagery or Rights for Non-Open-Access Artworks

Report a Website Issue

Further Questions About This Artwork