 or serving bowl (hachi)-d8edb243.jpg)
 or serving bowl (hachi)-e43ce2a8.jpg)
TEA BOWL OR SERVING BOWL
The interior of this bowl is densely packed with spirals, lines, and medallions. The spirals are purely decorative. Though not a particularly popular motif in Korean ceramics, the spirals are an abstract representation of circular chrysanthemum designs found in wares made from the fourteenth to the fifteenth century.
This bowl is in the style and shape of teabowls used for a powdered, whisked tea called matcha. It is large compared to most teabowls, so it may have been a serving bowl. Korean ceramics were popular as teabowls in Japan, and some were made to order for the Japanese market. This bowl was made at a kiln in Pusan, Korea, operated by the Sō clan of Tsushima. The Sō clan had permission from the ruling Joseon court to operate the kiln to fulfill orders from Japanese collectors.
Object Number
F1907.89
Date
Second half of 17th century, Joseon period
Place of Origin
Korea
Medium
Stoneware with white inlay under transparent glaze
Dimensions
H × W: 7.6 × 16.4 cm (3 × 6 7/16 in.)
Credit line
Gift of Charles Lang Freer