The History of Korean Pottery

The Koreans have used potteries from 7000 to1392) - during this epoch some of the best small
8000 years ago. Since ancient times they used toscale works of ceramics were accomplished in
make pottery by firing clay at a heat of 1300Korea. In this age the potters made foliate
degree Celsius. They produced unique, original anddesigns, key fret, geometric shapes, elliptical
beautiful pottery. They traded extensively withpanels, stylized fishes and insects, and they
China and adopted manufacturing skills of Celadon.started using incised designs from this era. The
Korean pottery is healthy and alive due to itsglazes used, were different shades of Celadon.
good natural disposition. The Korean pottersFor stoneware and storage goods they used
believed in nature and sought to be a part of it.black and brown glazes.
So they lived in deep recesses of mountains to3. Korean pottery in Joseon dynasty (1392 to
give a natural touch to their wares and used1910) - it can be called the golden era of Korean
simple colors with liberal techniques for moldingpottery. The Korean ceramics developed to a
the clay prior to making the pottery.great extent and pottery was produced in a large
Korean pottery can be studied in terms of threecommercial scale for export. The quality of the
empires. These three empires which present thepottery also improved considerably. They followed
foundation of Korean ceramic history also reflectthe Chinese Ming Dynasty in evolving their
the culture of pottery during this era. These threeimproved range of pottery and they are similar in
kingdoms are - Silla, Goguryeo and Joseon. Thecertain aspects to the Chinese wares. Storage
Korean potters produced coarse household goodspottery, celadon, white porcelain were alike and
as well as highly sophisticated statues of imperialonly with minimal variations either in glazes,
figures, guardians, horses, escorts of the dead indesigns or weight. Ming influence was also felt in
mausoleum of kings, as well as nobility.the blue and white matter by using cobalt blue
1. Korean pottery in the Silla era (668 to 935) -glazes.
the pottery was plain in color, design andAfter the fall of the Ming dynasty many Chinese
silhouette at the time of the unified Silla era.potters migrated to Korea and brought colorful
Celadon was the main produce. Gradually in theand vibrant pottery of special forms which was
14th century Bakeja porcelain wares developeddiscarded by the Korean potters who preferred
which had vibrant varnish. These were made upto make simple and less bedecked wares.
of highly refined clay. Bakeja wares were fixedKorea exported most of its potteries to Japan
with feldspar and were very cautiously fired inand principally from the Busan area. The climbing
very huge and fresh kilns. Bakeja wares flourishedkilns were exported to a considerable extent.
tremendously until the Joseon dynasty came toThere were two ways of export- through deal
power.and intended immigration of potters or by the
2. Korean pottery in the Goguryeo era (918 tomeans of invasion and pottery theft.