Fine Korean Ceramic Kugibori Irabo Chawan with Oil Drop Glaze

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A ceramic Chawan (tea bowl) made in Korea for Japanese market circa 17th century. The Chawan is identified as Irabo … Read more A ceramic Chawan (tea bowl) made in Korea for Japanese market circa 17th century. The Chawan is identified as Irabo type. Irabo bowls were considered as a second generation or late period Korean export, made specifically to meet the demand and taste of the tea ceremonies that had become very popular in Edo Japan beginning in the early seventeenth century. They were cherished for their rustic appeal and wabi-sabi spirit. Irabo is characterized by its stoney clay that is rich in iron and warm ocher-color ash glaze that shows intentional irregularity via kiln oxidation.
The Chawan on offer features a deep conical body supported by foot ring with visible carved lines by potter's knife. The surface is covered with a deep ochre color glaze mottled with lighter brown patches. The mesmerizing pattern resembles oil drops in water, which calls to mind the treasured Jian kiln tea bowls of similar pattern from Chinese Song Dynasty. The droplets at place connect to form streaks. The exterior wall displays encircling lines from the potter's wheel. On the bottom of the well, there are five spur marks known as Chame. The base is unglazed, revealing an iron rich sandy clay and it was carved with a spiral (known as Nail-Carving, Kugibori in Japanese).
Made on wheel, the bowl still shows ever so slight irregularity, revealing the made-by-hand nature. The glaze is extraordinary and full of randomness and coherency at the same time. Close exam the bowl, one can see a deep patina manifested along the rim and in the well of the bowl. When it is in hand, it carries a sense of history. The bowl comes in a Japanese Tomobako with Shifuku. The box shows age but unsigned.
Compared to an Irabo Chawan from the same period in the collection of National Asian Art Museum Smithsonian S1997.46. See less