Traditional Korean Celadon

Traditional Korean celadon:

Major differences evolved in the making of celadons

during the Goryeo Dynasty

Oh Seung Hee

Intensive College Writing

Eric Lynn

14 February 2011

When Koreans are asked what is representative of the Goryeo Dynasty, I believe many of them would choose Goryeo celadon. Young students learn the beauty of Goryeo celadon throughout their whole school years, and even adults who live in busy and modern society still marvel at the delicacy of celadon. However, we might hesitate to explain what makes Goryeo celadon so special. Even though around the tenth century, the Silla Dynasty received the technique of making celadon from China, major differences from Chinese celadon evolved in the making of celadon during the twelfth and thirteenth century in the Goryeo Dynasty.

Producing celadon pre twelfth century

A complicated chemical reaction is needed to produce celadon. Potters apply a wash of liquefied clay, which contains a high proportion of iron to the body of the stoneware before glazing. The iron interacts with the glaze during the firing and colors it one of various shades of green. But not all countries in Asia could produce celadon with the application of this complex chemical reaction. Before the ninth century, the Silla Dynasty in Korea did not have the skills to produce celadon and imported produced goods from China.

By the ninth and tenth centuries, several areas in southwestern Korea were engaged in large-scale production of celadon with influence from China. And early celadon from Korea resembles the characteristics of the celadon produced at the Yuezhou kilns in China. During this time, there was continual development in production techniques, decoration, and glazing. Through such efforts, in the 12th century, the Goryeo potters developed a jade-green glaze, which was exceptionally beautiful and is only found in Goryeo celadon.

The twelfth century: The era of color

The twelfth century was the era of...