Koryo Dynasty Ceramics

[BungalowDweller]

In the latest member's magazine of the Art Institute of Chicago, there is a beautiful photograph of a vase. The title of the piece is "Bamboo -shaped Ewer" Koryo dynasty, 12th century. It is a recent Art Institute acquisition--a bequest.

The blurb goes on as follows--"Korean ceramics from the Koryo dynasty are revered for their unpretentious elegance, which is due in large part to the uniqueness of celadon glaze, which almost magically suspends particles of blue, green, and white crystals on the vessel's surface."

Apparently there will be a one-time performance to honor the acquisition of this piece. "Voices:Korean Jade Mist and Celedon Bamboo" will be performed on Thursday, June 23rd at noon in Fullerton Hall.

Early on in YSS there was a subplot concerning one of YSS's friends who wanted to go to Ming to study pottery. That character was later captured and taken away. I thought this would be a great opportunity to see the pottery the Japanese literally killed to get.

[BungalowDweller]

Sorry--I meant to add this to the YSS Tangents--not make a new thread. I'm still learning this thing!!

[TheBo]

It's okay, bungalowdweller, you did it the right way. You ARE adding it to tangents, because YSS tangents is a forum, not a thread.

And thanks for the tip--I might be able to go to that concert, and I'll certainly want to see the Koryu ceramic, if they are displaying it yet.

I saw some wonderful Korean ceramics and sumi-e work in New York at the Met, but that display was no way near as large as the Chinese ceramics--just a tiny room for a recent acquisition of a collection. I got some pics, but I don't think they're very good.

Bo

[Aging Warrior]

bungalowdweller said:

"Korean ceramics from the Koryo dynasty are revered for their unpretentious elegance, which is due in large part to the uniqueness of celadon glaze, which almost magically suspends particles of blue, green, and white crystals on the vessel's surface."

Fans of Age of Warriors will recognize the green ceramics that were used in every meal scene on that show. They don't seem to use them on IYSS. I guess they were out of style during Chosun.

[donilpark]

That's right.
Those green ones eventually got replaced by white ceramics of Choson dynasty. But the green celadons are considered the most artistic and beautiful, all the more so because of the fact that the technique of their creation has been lost over many years of numerous invasions.