Antique Korean Ceramic Gohon Chawan Tea Bowl Joseon Dynasty

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A ceramic chawan (tea bowl) circa 17-18th century fired in the Busan kiln in Southern Korean specifically for the Japanese … Read more A ceramic chawan (tea bowl) circa 17-18th century fired in the Busan kiln in Southern Korean specifically for the Japanese market. The kilns were controlled by the So clan that ruled Tsushima Island to fill the order from Japan with detailed preferences. Known as Gohon chawan, the name came from the order forms and catalogue books (known as gohon in Japanese) that the tea masters used in Momoyama period. The production lasted for about eighty years from 1637-1717.
The bowl on offer has a harmonious elm bowl shape supported by a foot ring. The surface was covered in a white slip glaze over a grey background. The glaze is intentionally uneven in places, with some scattered pink spots known as kase or gohonte. These were the results of the fire reduction, which is one of the characters of these Gohon bowls. The glaze on the lower portion shows small pinholes known as Suana in Japanese, which were found in later Shino ware. The foot ring was partially glazed with a crawling effect, exposing the dark reddish clay underneath. In the center of the base ring, there is a pointy called Tokin, which was often present in old Korean Ido bowls that Japanese tea masters adored. It was perhaps part of the specifics from the order. The surface of the tea bowl displays significant patina: there are noticeable tea stain in the interior well and several superb historical kintsugi repairs on the rims as well as on the body, further adding beauty to this piece.
The bowl comes with a fabric wrap and a tomobako box, but both are clearly from later period. See less