Cinerary urn with impressed decoration

Historical period(s)
Silla kingdom, Three Kingdoms period, late 7th century
Medium
Unglazed stoneware with kiln gloss
Dimensions
H x W x D: 11.5 x 13.2 x 13.2 cm (4 1/2 x 5 3/16 x 5 3/16 in)
Geography
Korea
Credit Line
Gift of Mrs. Maureen R. Jacoby in memory of Rolf Jacoby
Accession Number
F1991.87a-b
On View Location
Currently not on view
Classification(s)
Ceramic, Container
Type

Cinerary urn

Keywords
chrysanthemum, Korea, Silla Kingdom (57 BCE - 676 CE), stoneware, Three Kingdoms period (1st century BCE - 7th century CE), unglazed, WWII-era provenance
Provenance

From 1947-1950 to 1991Mr. Rolf R. Jacoby (died 1989) and Mrs. Maureen R. Jacoby (died 2002), Centreville, MD and Washington, DC, acquired by Rolf R. Jacoby in Korea between 1947-1950 [1] From 1991Freer Gallery of Art, given by Mrs. Maureen R. Jacoby in 1991 [2]Notes:[1] "This object, along with the others given with it, was acquired by Rolf Jacoby, the donor's late husband, in Korea between 1947 and 1950, while he served as a diplomat" (according to a note by Kate Theimer, November 28, 1995, in the object record).[2] See note 1.

Previous Owner(s) and Custodian(s)

Mr. Rolf R. Jacoby and Mrs. Maureen R. Jacoby
Mrs. Maureen R. Jacoby died 2002

Label

Following Korea's widespread adoption of Buddhism in the forth century, unglazed gray stoneware vessels were made in shapes suited to Buddhist ritual and stamped decoration became more elaborate.  Koreans practiced the Buddhist custom of cremation; jars such as this one were used to hold the ashes for burial.

Collection Area(s)
Korean Art
Web Resources
Korean Ceramics
Google Cultural Institute
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