Celadon Gye-yeong Bae (Sobriety Cup): Embossed Crane Motif by Master Artisan
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“Where restraint becomes elegance, and balance is quietly profound.”
At first glance, this celadon vessel may appear playful—its proportions charming, its structure curious. But as one pours, a quiet lesson reveals itself. This is a Gye-yeong Bae, a “sobriety cup”—a drinking vessel designed not to overflow, but to teach. Fill it beyond a certain point, and the liquid vanishes through its hidden conduit. It is not broken. It is wise.
Crafted by master artisan Kim Myung-Sub—a revered figure in the tradition of Icheon ceramics—this set is a study in philosophical form. Both the cup and the pot feature twin cranes in embossed relief, their wings outstretched in mirrored flight. Their presence is not ornamental; it is intentional. In East Asian symbology, cranes embody longevity, but here they also suggest duality, grace, and the aspiration to rise above.
The surface is covered in a luminous celadon glaze, whose intricate crackled webbing (craquelure) invites close observation. Each line tells of time, temperature, and the slow dance of glaze over clay. The form, though compact, is complex: the spout curves like a question, while the internal structure—visible only when lifting the cup—reveals the hidden mechanism through which excess is humbly returned.
The story of this form stretches far beyond its clay. Historically, the Gye-yeong Bae is tied to the tale of a once-wealthy artisan who, having squandered his fortune in indulgence, returned to his teacher in shame. In penance, he created this cup—a vessel to caution against excess. It was later owned by a legendary merchant who, by keeping the cup close, governed his desires and prospered through moderation.
This set is not merely for pouring drink; it is for pouring thought. A functional sculpture. A vessel of introspection. A reminder, perhaps, that more is not always better—and that elegance lies in knowing when to stop.
Each set is carefully wheel-thrown and finished by hand.
As such, subtle variations in form, glaze, or motif placement may occur—traces not of imperfection, but of human presence.
Dimension
- Height- 12 cm (4.72 inch)
- Width- 12 cm (4.72 inch)
- Length- 16 cm (6.3 inch)
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