Yeon tae Park describes this tea bowl as “분청 거치문 상감 찻사발 (조삼도 찻사발)” (buncheong geochi-mun sanggam chatsabal, Joseon samdo) which translates to buncheong tea bowl in the Joseon style with inlay pattern. The dark and groggy clay body appears covered with an iron based slip. The exterior upper half and all of the interior is scored with chevron-like banding, while the very centre of the bowl is stamped with a floral pattern. White slip is inlaid into the impressions resulting in bold contrasts of light and dark.

Park wood-fires his ceramics in a multichamber climbing kiln, resulting in a rich surface of pronounced crazing. This tea bowl looks much older than it is, almost like a relic from the past. If ever a tea bowl could appear wise, this one certainly does. And it’s this kind of tea bowl that, centuries ago, traveled to Japan and inspired the sabi aesthetic of hagi and karatsu wares.

The city of Munyeong has a long tradition of tea bowl making. It is considered by many as a spiritual homeland of the chatsabal. This kind of quintessential tea bowl from Mungyeong - humble yet elegant - would go on to exert an outsize influence on potters all over the world.

Park Yeon tae is considered one of the best working in the buncheong tradition today. He is recognized by the Korean Arts Association as Master of Tea Utensils and by the city of Mungyeong as a Master of Ceramics. He has won numerous awards, including the 2025 Award for Excellence at the National Tea Bowl Competition.

New from the artist’s studio. Comes with the signed and stamped wood box, wrapping cloth, and CV.