Ewer in the shape of a gourd

Korea

12th century

Porcelaneous stoneware under celadon glaze

Minneapolis Institute of Art

A celadon glazed stoneware ewer is shaped like a gourd with a bulbous base and a narrower upper section topped with a lid. It features a curved spout and a handle with a ribbed texture. A celadon glazed stoneware ewer is shaped like a gourd with a bulbous base and a narrower upper section topped with a lid. It features a curved spout and a handle with a ribbed texture. The organic forms they encountered in the natural world inspired Korean potters of the Koryo dynasty (918-1392). They fashioned tea pots and wine vessels in the shape of a pumpkin-squash, a peach, and in this case, a gourd. In fact, dried gourds had long been used as storage containers and decanters. Because of the gourd's natural durability, it was believed that drinking liquid from a gourd would help insure a long life. And because ripe gourds cont