Introduction

• • Ceramics is a unique type of art which involves the harmonious interaction between people, earth, and fire. In particular, the invention of porcelain marks a significant turning point in the history of ceramics. Porcelain, wherein extremely fragile materials are sculpted, coated with glaze, and baked at temperatures as high as 1300°C, is a remarkably delicate artistic practice that requires unparalleled mastery of technology and technique.
  • Korean porcelain was first produced in the late 9th or early 10th century. Around that time, people began producing celadon and white porcelain, developing earthenware technology under the influence of China’s Yue ware (越州窯). By the turn of the 11th century, celadon production technology had become much more sophisticated and reached its pinnacle in the 12th century. The biggest successes of all were the realization of jade-colored celadon, wherein the glaze is tinted with a light jade color, and the development of the inlay technique, which opened a new horizon for ceramic art.
  • While engaged in a protracted war with the Yuan Dynasty, the delicate shape and hue of jade-colored celadon gradually vanished, resulting in a noticeable decline in the quality of celadon. Then, in the late 14th century, frequent Japanese invasions forced master artisans to move inland and disperse in all directions in order to survive and maintain their traditions. This movement led to an increase in porcelain production and demand, as more lower class people were exposed to porcelain and began to incorporate it into their lives. The tradition of inlaid celadon was succeeded by Buncheong ware.
  • Buncheong ware (粉靑沙器) originated in low quality inlaid celadon produced in the late Goryeo Dynasty, but in the early Joseon Dynasty, it evolved into an entirely new type of pottery with unique aesthetic features.
  • Buncheong ware, which is made by coating the surface of celadon with white mud, comes in at least seven major varieties, depending on the method used to create patterns on the surface: inlaying, stamping, incising, reverse inlaying or sgraffito, painting, brushing (guiyal), dipping (deombeong). Each technique achieves different decorative effects and unique finished beauty. While Goryeo celadon is characterized by sophisticated aesthetics and the noble beauty of soft curves, Buncheong ware is marked by a free and vibrant expression, straightforward shapes, and vivacious aesthetics.
  • The Buncheong Ware gallery is arranged by different periods, patterns, and technologies, allowing visitors to easily grasp the individual characteristics of the many types of this uniquely Korean pottery style.
  • Along with Buncheong ware, white porcelain is the representative pottery of the Joseon Dynasty. But while Buncheong ware was only produced for about 150 years (between the 15th and 16th century), white porcelain was manufactured throughout the Joseon Dynasty and was widely used by people in their daily lives. Exuding pure, moderate beauty, white porcelain was the most appropriate ware for expressing the Confucian ideals of the Joseon scholars and nobility, and thus can be said to fully reflect the culture of the Joseon Dynasty.
  • The basic type of Joseon porcelain is plain ware with a pure white surface, but some white wares were partially decorated with simple incised, carved, perforated, or inlaid designs or painted in cobalt blue, iron brown, or copper red.
  • The history of Joseon white porcelain can be classified into four periods, depending on the installation and operation practices of bunwon, a group of government-operated kilns that produced white porcelain wares for the royal family and central government.
  • Before bunwon was established, the royal family and central government had to bring in the highest quality white porcelains from kilns around the country. The early period began in 1467-1468, when royal wares were first produced at bunwon in Gwangju, Gyeonggi-do province, and lasted to the Japanese invasion of Korea in 1592-1598. The middle period stretched until 1752, when bunwon was settled and flourished in present-day Bunwon-ri, Gwangju, while the late period lasted from 1752 to 1884, when the bunwon was privatized. Thereafter, Joseon porcelain quickly declined amid the surging imports of Japanese ceramic wares.
  • The White Porcelain gallery is organized to highlight the major changes in white porcelain styles and techniques, and to showcase the essence of white porcelain by selecting masterpieces from different time periods.