Celadon Vase: Relief-Applied Pensive Bodhisattva Motif

“A quiet gesture carved in clay—where serenity takes form in silence.”

This extraordinary celadon vase (청자 덧붙임 반가사유상문 호) captures the contemplative spirit of the Pensive Bodhisattva, delicately brought to life through a rare additive technique developed by the artisan himself. Unlike typical relief carving, this method—known in Korean as 덧붙임—involves sculpting with a separate clay body directly onto the vessel’s surface by hand. The result is not merely decorative, but deeply sculptural: a meditative figure that seems to rise gently from the jade-green glaze, casting shadows that shift softly with the light.

The work is formed from celadon clay (청자토) for the base body and a specially formulated additive clay (조합토) for the applied sculpture. These clays have differing moisture levels and shrink rates, making their union extremely fragile. The artisan must synchronise the drying phases with exacting care; any misstep in timing may lead to cracking or detachment during the kiln process.

The firing itself is another trial: the piece requires a kiln time up to 1.5 times longer than standard celadon, allowing the deep crackled glaze to mature while stabilising the hand-applied elements. Each successful firing brings with it a sense of quiet relief—as the artist himself admits, he listens intently for the dreaded sound of the additive clay separating during the heat. “Every time I hear nothing,” he says, “is a small miracle.”

The vase is adorned with lotus petals at its base and neck, echoing the symbolic purity of the Bodhisattva figure in the centre. The serene pose, with one hand resting lightly near the chin, evokes a moment of stillness—a sacred pause, almost breathing within the clay.

Standing at approximately 37 cm tall and 25 cm wide, this piece is equally suited to solitary display or quiet conversation with other curated objects. Whether placed in a contemplative corner or softly illuminated in a living room, it invites reflection—both visual and emotional.

Please note: As this is a fully handmade work, variations in glaze tone, carving detail, and overall shape may occur. These are not flaws, but the marks of authenticity—evidence that each piece is formed by human hands, not moulds.

Dimensions

• Diameter- 25cm (9.84 inch)
• Height- 37cm (14.57 inch)