Celadon Prunus Vase inlaid with Crane and Cloud Pattern

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The voluminous form of this wonderful piece, a reproduction of the great 12th century Goryeo porcelain, came from the Maebyeong (Prunus Vase) style from the Sung Dynasty in China. By the time this vase was made, however, Goryeo (918-1392) had already established its own style characterized by a more expansive form and elegantly-curved lines. An increasingly-important achievement of Goryeo porcelain ware in the world's ceramics history is the introduction of the inlaying technique to the art of pottery. In this porcelain vase, whose form, size and luxuriousness make it one of the greatest masterpieces of its kind, the pattern of white cranes and clouds is exquisitely inlaid into the surface of the jade-blue body.

Korean celadon pottery is renowned the world over for its exquisite inlaid designs, voluminous form, elegantly-curved lines and mysterious color, the color of the sky after a rainstorm during an autumn afternoon.