 The crane, cloud and willow tree motifs of the Koryo Scarf are inspired by the celadon-glazed ceramics that were perfected in Korea during the Koryo Dynasty (916-1392).
Such was the passion of Korean aristocracy for the refined grey-green hue of celadon ceramics that not only vases, dishes and incense burners, but also hair oil bottles and even roof tiles were created with celadon glazes. The shimmering lustre of the glaze is notoriously hard to achieve and requires the ceramic to be fired twice at high temperatures.
 Celadon ceramics were often enhanced by auspicious patterns and motifs, typically flowers and foliage, cranes and curling stylised clouds. These motifs were first incised into the body of the unfired pot, then the grooves were painstakingly inlaid using white and red clays. During firing the white clay retains its color, and the red clay turns black. Cranes are a favourite motif in both Korean and Chinese art. Associated with Taoist mythology, they symbolise longevity and the flight upwards towards paradise.
So renowned were the celadon ceramics of the Koryo dynasty that the Chinese, themselves masters of ceramics, designated them 'the best under heaven' and traders from as far away as Arabia sang their praises. Despite many attempts to match the depth and hue of the glazes and the grace and spontaneity of the motifs, Koryo celadon ceramics have never been equalled and today fetch huge sums on the international art market.
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