During the Choson dynasty (1392–1910) in Korea, cobalt oxide was used to decorate high-quality porcelains. Korean potters were influenced in their use of this material by the work of Chinese artisans of the Ming dynasty (1368–1644), whose porcelains were imported into Korea. Because in the early Choson period cobalt oxide was available only from sources outside Korea, ceramics decorated with it were very expensive, they were owned primarily by the wealthy. A large jar with most of the surface painted, such as the cobalt below, probably could have been afforded only by a member of Korea’s ruling class. Drawing on these clues, try to determine which container was painted with the cobalt mineral. Which ceramic vessel was painted with cobalt oxide?

	Maebyong (Prunus Vase) Koryo dynasty		Jar Choson dynasty		Comb-Patterned Vessel Neolithic period
	Jar Choson dynasty		Flask-Shaped Bottle Choson dynasty

 

 

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