Gourd-shaped bottle, Goryeo dynasty, 12th-13th century. Stoneware with black glaze. Height 38.9cm; Maximum Diameter 19.3cm; Weight 2,140g. The Museum of Oriental Ceramics, Osaka (gift of SUMITOMO Group, the ATAKA Collection), 00023, photograph by 六田知弘 © The Museum of Oriental Ceramics, Osaka.

Gourd-shaped bottles first appeared in China. In Korea, many began to have the original elegant, elongated form by the Goryeo period. This work has a well-balanced proportion by having a swollen lower body in contrast to the slender upper section. The surface was covered with black glaze, which was double coated to display the variation of colors such as the jet black and dark brown. Only a few masterworks of black-glazed gourd-shaped bottles exist. During the Goryeo period, a small number of black glazed wares, most of which were storage vessels such as bottles and jars, seem to have fired together at the celadon kilns.