Silla Kingdom Lidded Stoneware Bowl

The Silla Kingdom, The Three Kingdoms period, 57 BC-676 AD, Korea.

Magnificent stoneware lidded bowl. Silla pottery of the Three Kingdoms period was mostly grey stoneware with incised, applied, and pierced decoration. Two forms predominate: the long-necked jar called changgyong ho and round, lidded cup with a wide foot base known as kobae. They were used on special occasions for food, not liquids. Kobae were probably influenced by the Chinese dou and are typically between 25cm and 35cm tall. The lid with a small pedestal handle could be set upside down and serve as an extra dish. Examples of foodstuffs they contained when found in tombs include soybean paste, kimchi, red pepper paste, and fermented fish sauce. Since most Silla pottery has been found in tombs, it is thought to have been used as ritual vessels or burial goods for the deceased. Ancient people believed that their life would go on even after death. Accordingly, goods that they used while alive, including bowls, were buried in their tombs. 

Traditional coil-built, thin, and wheel-turned stoneware lidded bowl with incised and cut decoration. Distinctive natural ash-glaze. Excellent condition. Intact. Age-related wear and minor abrasion. Beautiful patina. Encrustation. Size approx. 18,5cm x 14,2cm x 14,1cm.

Provenance: Danish private collection

For a similar examples see:

The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, Accession Number: 1997.34.7a, b.(https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/39502)

Philadelphia Museum of Art, Accession Number: 1983-81-5a,b (https://philamuseum.org/collection/object/76524)

Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Accession Number: 1999.187.1.1-.2.(https://collections.lacma.org/node/199210)

Brooklyn Museum, Accession Number: 40.519a-b. (https://www.brooklynmuseum.org/opencollection/objects/50480)

References and further reading:

Silla: Korea's Golden Kingdom, Soyoung Lee & Denise Patry Leidy, with contributions by Ham Soon-seop, Huh Hyeong Uk, Insook Lee, Juhyung Rhi, Yoon Onshik, and Yoon Sangdeok, Met Publications, 2013. 

Silla Kingdom, Prehistory and Ancient History, National Museum of Korea. (https://www.museum.go.kr/site/eng/showroom/list/760?showroomCode=DM0008)

Silla Pottery, Mark Cartwright, World History Encyclopedia, published on 28 November 2016. (https://www.worldhistory.org/article/983/silla-pottery/)