Soul of simplicity
seven centuries of Korean ceramics
Left to right: Details of a bottle with sgraffito design of peonies, Joseon dynasty, middle of 15th century, Buncheong ware; a melon-shaped ewer, Goryeo dynasty, 12th century, celadon; a brush holder with openwork dragon design, Joseon dynasty, 19th century, blue-and-white porcelain. The Museum of Oriental Ceramics, Osaka, gifts of the Sumitomo group.
Characterised by clarity of forms, understated decorations and subtle yet luminous colour glazes, ceramics are one of the most significant artistic contributions of the Korean peninsula.
Such was the technical prowess of Korean potters, Chinese envoys in the 12th century reported glazes that had the 'radiance of jade and the clarity of water’.
This display focuses on the two major periods in the development of Korean ceramics: the Goryeo (918-1392) and Joseon (1392-1897) dynasties. The 38 objects reflect a uniquely Korean aesthetic sensibility from the 12th to the 19th centuries.
The exhibition has been made possible through the loan of works from the Museum of Oriental Ceramics, Osaka in Japan, which houses the most extensive and outstanding collections of Korean ceramics worldwide.
8 Feb 2013 – 21 Apr 2014
Free admission
Location:
South Building, lower level 1, Asian Lantern galleries