18.3 Development of Korean ceramic traditions

Korean ceramic traditions evolved from simple grayware to sophisticated celadon and porcelain. Early stoneware featured incised designs and ash glazes, while Goryeo Dynasty celadon showcased intricate inlaid patterns and unique blue-green hues.

Joseon Dynasty ceramics embraced simplicity with buncheong ware's bold decorations and moon jars' minimalist aesthetic. These developments reflect Korea's cultural shifts and artistic innovations throughout its long ceramic history.

Early Korean Ceramics

Grayware and Stoneware

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• Grayware represents the earliest forms of Korean ceramics dating back to the Neolithic period (6000-1000 BCE)
• Grayware vessels were hand-built and fired at low temperatures, resulting in a porous and relatively soft body
• Stoneware emerged during the Three Kingdoms period (57 BCE-935 CE) as firing techniques improved
• Stoneware is fired at higher temperatures (1100-1300°C) compared to grayware, resulting in a denser, harder, and more durable body
• Early stoneware was often decorated with incised or stamped designs and covered with ash glazes (Silla Dynasty)

Celadon Development

• Celadon refers to a type of green-glazed stoneware that originated in China and was later adopted and refined by Korean potters
• Korean celadon production began during the Goryeo Dynasty (918-1392 CE) and reached its zenith in the 12th century
• Goryeo celadon is known for its unique blue-green color, achieved by firing the glaze in a reducing atmosphere (oxygen-deficient)
• Goryeo celadon often features intricate inlaid designs (sanggam) created by carving patterns into the clay body and filling them with white or black clay before glazing
• Notable examples of Goryeo celadon include maebyeong vases, which have a distinctive pear-shaped body and long neck, and kundika water sprinklers used in Buddhist rituals

Joseon Dynasty Ceramics

Buncheong Ware

• Buncheong ware emerged in the early Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910 CE) as a response to the austere Neo-Confucian ideals that favored simplicity and functionality over luxury
• Buncheong ware is characterized by its coarse, grayish-white clay body and bold, expressive decorations applied using various techniques such as stamping, incising, sgraffito, and slip-painting
• Common motifs found on buncheong ware include plants, animals, geometric patterns, and calligraphic inscriptions
• Buncheong ware was produced in large quantities for everyday use, such as bowls, plates, and storage jars

Onggi and Moon Jars

• Onggi refers to large, earthenware storage jars used for fermenting and storing food items such as soy sauce, kimchi, and rice wine
• Onggi jars are made from a coarse, porous clay body that allows for air circulation and the growth of beneficial microorganisms during the fermentation process
• The distinctive brown color of onggi jars is achieved by applying an iron-rich slip and firing the vessels at high temperatures
• Moon jars, or dal hang-ari, are large, spherical white porcelain jars that embody the Joseon aesthetic of purity, simplicity, and balance
• Moon jars are formed by joining two hemispherical halves together, often resulting in a slightly asymmetrical shape that adds to their organic, handmade quality
• The white color of moon jars is achieved by using a pure, iron-free clay body and a transparent glaze, showcasing the Joseon preference for minimalism

Decorative Techniques

Inlay Techniques in Goryeo Celadon

• Inlay techniques, known as sanggam in Korean, involve carving designs into the surface of the clay body and filling them with contrasting clay before glazing
• The most common inlay techniques used in Goryeo celadon are:
  1. Sanggam, which uses white or black clay to create intricate patterns
  2. Sanggam-saek, which incorporates colored clays for a more vibrant effect
• Inlaid designs on Goryeo celadon often depict natural motifs such as flowers, birds, and clouds, as well as geometric patterns and Buddhist symbols
• The inlay technique requires great skill and precision, as the carved lines must be clean and the inlaid clay must be level with the surface to create a seamless effect under the glaze

Decorative Techniques in Buncheong Ware

• Buncheong ware utilizes a variety of decorative techniques that showcase the expressive and spontaneous qualities of the Joseon aesthetic
• Common techniques used in buncheong ware include:
  1. Stamping: Pressing carved wooden or clay stamps into the surface to create repeating patterns
  2. Incising: Carving designs directly into the clay body using a sharp tool
  3. Sgraffito: Scratching through a layer of slip to reveal the contrasting clay body beneath
  4. Slip-painting: Applying a layer of white or colored slip and then painting designs using a brush
• The decorative techniques used in buncheong ware often result in bold, abstract patterns and calligraphic brushwork that emphasize the beauty of the material and the hand of the maker
• Buncheong ware decorations reflect the Joseon preference for simplicity, spontaneity, and a connection to nature, with motifs such as plants, animals, and landscapes being common