Rice Cake Mold
Korean
Description
Physical Description:
A small glazed porcelain piece resembling a cake stand with a narrow stand and wide-lipped base. The top is detailed with a carved pattern that would imprint the rice cake being molded on it.
Rice cake stamps are used to impress designs upon rice cakes. They are generally made of wood or ceramic. Ceramic rice cake stamps normally come in the form of round stamps and consist of a patterned surface and a handle. Patterns, carved or raised, on the stamp vary from geometric lines to auspicious designs that wish for prosperity and longevity. Their small size makes them highly portable, while their simple yet contemporary designs have mad them popular among collectors. The University of Michigan Museum of Art collection includes nine white porcelain rice cake stamps. Some are gifts from Mr. and Mrs. Hasenkamp, and others are gifts from Ok Ja Chang and the Chang family.
The Chinese characters “壽” (“su;” longevity)” and “福” (“bok;” happiness)” are carved into the stamp. The handle is cylindrical and ends in a disc, a form rarely found in white porcelain rice cake stamps. The quality of clay and fusion of glaze suggest that this object was produced in the early 20th century, adopting methods from industrial ceramic production.
[Korean Collection, University of Michigan Museum of Art (2014) p.205]
Usage Rights:
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