Korean Art

The next gallery that I saw in my visit to the Cleveland Art Museum's collection of Asian art was that of Korea.

This hanging scroll painted on silk was commissioned by the women of the royal court in 1878.  In the center is the "Buddha of Radiant Light".

This ten panel screen from the late 1800s depicts the work of farmers through the course of the year.

The reality of rural life in that era was nothing like the idyllic scenes portrayed on the screen.  In fact farmers in the late 1800s organized numerous rebellions against the feudal system.

Celadon pottery, a prized type of jade green ceramics, originated in China, but spread to other parts of Asia, including Korea.  In the 12th through the 14th century, the celadon pottery of Korea reached its pinnacle.

A wine bottle with incised decoration

A flower-shaped cup and stand and a wine pitcher with chrysanthemum design

A melon-shaped bottle

A vase with inlaid black and white decoration

This small ritual bell, cast in bronze, was made in the 1200s.  It was used in indoor Buddhist ceremonies.  Much larger bells were hung outside temples and monasteries and were rung to announce the beginning of services.

This bronze statue from the 1400s shows the "Buddha of the Western Paradise" with two sacred attendants.

A  standing Buddha from the 9th century is made of gilt bronze.

A wood figure covered with lacquer and gold dating from the 1400s or 1500s depicts a Bodhisattva, a compassionate being devoted to helping all sentient creatures to attain enlightenment.

In the next blog entry from the Cleveland Museum of Art we will see Buddhist art from the Himalayan region of Asia.