Dialogue with the DIRECTOR

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This is a splendid example of the early Korean potter's art, a twelfth century work that demonstrates the art of inlaid work called sanggam. The Koreans were probably the first to work in this area of incising but it's possible that it may have been inspired by the Chinese from the Tang dynasty. That the work was first incised with a design. The design was then filled with a black or a white slip, and you can see the black in the petals of the plant. And the work was then fired and then glazed with this wonderful, warm, glowing celadon glaze. The delicate sprays of this plant which is a chrysanthemum flower on either side have an elegant form and intricate beauty that also belies its simplicity and that is really the great treasure of the Korean potter. The sensibilities of beauty expressed in the twelfth century is what for me makes this work most amazing. We're talking about some 900 plus years ago and the elegance and its sheer beauty in form, finish, and design are absolutely marvelous. Their efforts were based in simplicity, in simple design, simple form, and simple decoration.

Alexander Lee Nyerges

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