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Long admired in China and Japan, and more recently
recognized in the West for its achievements, the ceramic tradition is an enduring feature
of Korea’s culture. The earthenware vessels of the Neolithic period, the earliest of
which date to about 7000 BC, show a variety of shapes and decorative techniques. By 1000
BC, the increasingly complex social organization of the population of the Korean peninsula
is suggested by the many ceramic objects produced both for everyday use and for ritual and
mortuary purposes. Advances in ceramic technology in the Three Kingdoms period (57 BC–AD 668) include the production of stoneware,
requiring kiln temperatures of more than 1000 C. With the exception of Chinese stoneware,
these are the earliest known high-fired wares in the world. Lead glazes, which may have
been inspired by Chinese Tang dynasty (618–907) wares, first appear in Korea during
Unified Silla (668–935). By the Koryo dynasty (918–1392), consistent advances in
ceramic technology, including the use of the climbing kiln, led to the production of
Korea’s widely acclaimed celadon wares. Most likely derived from Chinese Yue wares,
these celadons reached their high point of perfection in the mid-twelfth century. The
exceptional clarity of Koryo celadon glazes made possible the decoration of wares with
inlaid designs, a technique known as sanggam, which is a unique achievement of
Koryo potters. In the twelfth century, these craftsmen were among the first to employ
successfully the difficult technique of underglaze copper-red decoration on high-fired
wares. Ceramic production in the succeeding Choson dynasty (1392–1910) is
characterized by innovative punch’ong stonewares and by white porcelain
wares. The latter in particular reflect the austere tastes of the Neo-Confucian governing
class. Developments in decorative techniques in porcelain wares include underglaze
cobalt-blue painting, adopted from China, as well as underglaze copper-red and iron-brown
decoration. There was concurrently an exploration of new ceramic forms. |
