Maebyeong (plum bottle) decorated with cranes and clouds

Maebyeong (plum bottle) decorated with cranes and clouds

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

With its voluptuous form and eye-catching inlaid design of large cranes and clouds, this is an excellent example of a maebyeong, or plum bottle, used for alcohol and other beverages. It was produced at the famous celadon kiln site at Buan Yucheon-ri in North Jeolla Province. Lacquer resin mixed with powdered gold was used to repair the mouth.

Asian Art

An exhibit at Metropolitan Museum of Art

Maebyeong (plum bottle) decorated with cranes and cloudsMaebyeong (plum bottle) decorated with cranes and cloudsMaebyeong (plum bottle) decorated with cranes and cloudsMaebyeong (plum bottle) decorated with cranes and cloudsMaebyeong (plum bottle) decorated with cranes and clouds

The Met's collection of Asian art—more than 35,000 objects, ranging in date from the third millennium B.C. to the twenty-first century—is one of the largest and most comprehensive in the world. Each of the many civilizations of Asia is represented by outstanding works, providing an unrivaled experience of the artistic traditions of nearly half the world.