Melon-shaped Ewer with Carved Peony Design

Celadon ewers were produced and consumed throughout the entire Goryeo dynasty, and were everyday goods closely related to the livelihoods of Goryeo’s people. They were initially used as liquor ewers, but gradually became used as tea ewers as tea culture became popular. Ewers of the early Goryeo dynasty were produced under the influence of Chinese yuezhouyao ewers, and later, there was a clear influence from Chinese ceramic ewers created in Song, Liao and Yuan dynasties around the same era. Goryeo’s celadon ewers were greatly influenced by Chinese ceramic and metalware in general, but the influence was embraced to varying degrees in Goryeo’s own style and enabled it to change and develop into a unique form.