Did you know Korea has the highest quality pottery from the 10th century?
Celadon, jade green pottery, was first made by China. However, even the Chinese coveted Goryeo celadons. In his book, Xiuzhongjin, Song Dynasty writer Taiping Laoren listed Goryeo celadons as the most-desired items in China. An envoy from Song’s emperor wrote in GaoliTujing (Illustrated Travelogue of Goryeo) that Goryeo celadons are as refined as Chinese counterparts. Famous Song Dynasty poet Su Shi included two of Goryeo’s artifacts in the top 10 items in the world. They were Goryeo celadons and bells. China was the major exporter of exquisite pottery. What made the Chinese admire Goryeo celadons?
Celadon required cutting-edge technology to make. China and Goryeo were the only countries that had the technology to make celadons. The people of Goryeo learned pottery-making techniques from China and began producing celadons in the 10th century. By the 12th century, Goryeoproduced pottery that matched or exceeded the quality of Chinese pottery.
Goryeo(918-1392) developed a unique technique called theSanggam Method, which is a method of etching patterns into a surface and adding colored clay. Celadon made with this inlay technique boasted a unique jade-green shade that was incomparable to any other. The most well-known Goryeo celadon is Celadon Prunus Vase with Inlaid Cloud and Crane Design, Korean National Treasure #68. This vase has a wide body and a narrow mouth with inlaid patterns of clouds and cranes. The fineness of this work shows the level of Goryeo’s art.