The National Museum of Korea is proud to present Sculpted Celadon of the Goryeo Dynasty, a landmark exhibition highlighting one of Korea’s most exquisite artistic achievements. From November 26, 2024, to March 3, 2025, visitors will have the rare opportunity to explore 274 carefully curated artifacts, including eleven National Treasures and nine Treasures, representing the zenith of Goryeo ceramics.
Sculpted celadon, a hallmark of Goryeo artistry, encompasses ceramic works modeled after animals, plants, and mythical figures. Renowned for their translucent bisaek glaze, these objects blend technical innovation with aesthetic sophistication. This exhibition, the first of its kind to focus exclusively on sculpted celadon, offers a comprehensive exploration of its cultural and historical significance. Key pieces include the Lion-shaped Incense Burner Celadon and the Incense Burner with Openwork Design Celadon, exemplifying Goryeo artisans' ingenuity.
Courtesy of National Museum of Korea
This genre of ceramics emerged as a defining feature of Goryeo culture, celebrated for its ability to combine function with artistry. Sculpted celadon was not merely a vessel for practical use; it was a medium through which societal values, spiritual beliefs, and aesthetic preferences were expressed. The exhibition illustrates this cultural depth, showcasing how these objects served as symbols of refinement and status in Goryeo’s cosmopolitan capital, Gaegyeong.
Visitors will also encounter artifacts unearthed from significant archaeological sites, such as kiln complexes in Gangjin and Buan, as well as shipwrecks along Korea’s coasts. These discoveries, though often fragmented, provide invaluable insights into the production, distribution, and consumption of Goryeo celadon. The meticulous reconstruction of these pieces offers a glimpse into the sophisticated networks that supported the era’s thriving ceramic industry.
Courtesy of National Museum of Korea
One of the exhibition’s standout features is its integration of modern technology to unveil the secrets of celadon craftsmanship. Advanced imaging techniques, including CT scans and 3D modeling, allow visitors to view the internal structures of key artifacts. For example, the Dragon-Carp Shaped Ewer Celadon reveals a complex process of hollowing and assembling clay components, showcasing the precision and artistry of Goryeo potters. These scientific insights bring a new dimension to the appreciation of these works, highlighting the technical mastery that underpins their beauty.
The spiritual dimension of the sculpted celadon is another focal point of the exhibition. Many artifacts were crafted for Buddhist and Daoist rituals, featuring motifs that symbolize transcendence and protection. These ritual objects, such as incense burners and ceremonial ewers, demonstrate the interplay between functionality and metaphysical expression. By exploring this spiritual connection, the exhibition sheds light on how Goryeo ceramics served as a bridge between the earthly and the divine.
Courtesy of National Museum of Korea
In a broader cultural context, the exhibition compares Goryeo celadon with contemporaneous Chinese ceramics, such as the Ru ware of the Northern Song Dynasty. This juxtaposition highlights the distinctiveness of Goryeo's artistry, which absorbed external influences while forging its own identity. Historical records, including those of the Chinese envoy Xu Jing, who praised Goryeo Celadon during his visit in 1123, underscore its exceptional quality and global recognition.
Educational programs and multimedia experiences enhance the exhibition's accessibility and appeal. Interactive displays, interviews with modern artists, and mobile activities for children ensure that visitors of all ages can engage with the legacy of Goryeo Celadon. On January 17, 2025, an academic conference will bring together experts to discuss these artifacts' historical, artistic, and cultural significance, further enriching the exhibition’s narrative.
Courtesy of National Museum of Korea
This exhibition not only celebrates the artistic excellence of Goryeo Celadon but also underscores its relevance to contemporary audiences. Just as Goryeo artisans creatively adapted foreign influences to produce something uniquely Korean, modern K-culture continues to resonate globally by balancing tradition with innovation. By experiencing the timeless beauty of sculpted celadon, visitors are invited to reflect on the enduring power of creativity in shaping cultural identity.
Through its meticulous curation and innovative presentation, Sculpted Celadon of the Goryeo Dynasty offers a profound exploration of one of Korea’s most treasured artistic legacies. The exhibition serves as both a celebration of the past and a source of inspiration for the present, inviting all to marvel at the enduring elegance of Goryeo craftsmanship.
Sayart / Maria Kim, sayart2022@gmail.com
Courtesy of National Museum of Korea
The National Museum of Korea is proud to present Sculpted Celadon of the Goryeo Dynasty, a landmark exhibition highlighting one of Korea’s most exquisite artistic achievements. From November 26, 2024, to March 3, 2025, visitors will have the rare opportunity to explore 274 carefully curated artifacts, including eleven National Treasures and nine Treasures, representing the zenith of Goryeo ceramics.
Sculpted celadon, a hallmark of Goryeo artistry, encompasses ceramic works modeled after animals, plants, and mythical figures. Renowned for their translucent bisaek glaze, these objects blend technical innovation with aesthetic sophistication. This exhibition, the first of its kind to focus exclusively on sculpted celadon, offers a comprehensive exploration of its cultural and historical significance. Key pieces include the Lion-shaped Incense Burner Celadon and the Incense Burner with Openwork Design Celadon, exemplifying Goryeo artisans' ingenuity.
Courtesy of National Museum of Korea
This genre of ceramics emerged as a defining feature of Goryeo culture, celebrated for its ability to combine function with artistry. Sculpted celadon was not merely a vessel for practical use; it was a medium through which societal values, spiritual beliefs, and aesthetic preferences were expressed. The exhibition illustrates this cultural depth, showcasing how these objects served as symbols of refinement and status in Goryeo’s cosmopolitan capital, Gaegyeong.
Visitors will also encounter artifacts unearthed from significant archaeological sites, such as kiln complexes in Gangjin and Buan, as well as shipwrecks along Korea’s coasts. These discoveries, though often fragmented, provide invaluable insights into the production, distribution, and consumption of Goryeo celadon. The meticulous reconstruction of these pieces offers a glimpse into the sophisticated networks that supported the era’s thriving ceramic industry.
Courtesy of National Museum of Korea
One of the exhibition’s standout features is its integration of modern technology to unveil the secrets of celadon craftsmanship. Advanced imaging techniques, including CT scans and 3D modeling, allow visitors to view the internal structures of key artifacts. For example, the Dragon-Carp Shaped Ewer Celadon reveals a complex process of hollowing and assembling clay components, showcasing the precision and artistry of Goryeo potters. These scientific insights bring a new dimension to the appreciation of these works, highlighting the technical mastery that underpins their beauty.
The spiritual dimension of the sculpted celadon is another focal point of the exhibition. Many artifacts were crafted for Buddhist and Daoist rituals, featuring motifs that symbolize transcendence and protection. These ritual objects, such as incense burners and ceremonial ewers, demonstrate the interplay between functionality and metaphysical expression. By exploring this spiritual connection, the exhibition sheds light on how Goryeo ceramics served as a bridge between the earthly and the divine.
Courtesy of National Museum of Korea
In a broader cultural context, the exhibition compares Goryeo celadon with contemporaneous Chinese ceramics, such as the Ru ware of the Northern Song Dynasty. This juxtaposition highlights the distinctiveness of Goryeo's artistry, which absorbed external influences while forging its own identity. Historical records, including those of the Chinese envoy Xu Jing, who praised Goryeo Celadon during his visit in 1123, underscore its exceptional quality and global recognition.
Educational programs and multimedia experiences enhance the exhibition's accessibility and appeal. Interactive displays, interviews with modern artists, and mobile activities for children ensure that visitors of all ages can engage with the legacy of Goryeo Celadon. On January 17, 2025, an academic conference will bring together experts to discuss these artifacts' historical, artistic, and cultural significance, further enriching the exhibition’s narrative.
Courtesy of National Museum of Korea
This exhibition not only celebrates the artistic excellence of Goryeo Celadon but also underscores its relevance to contemporary audiences. Just as Goryeo artisans creatively adapted foreign influences to produce something uniquely Korean, modern K-culture continues to resonate globally by balancing tradition with innovation. By experiencing the timeless beauty of sculpted celadon, visitors are invited to reflect on the enduring power of creativity in shaping cultural identity.
Through its meticulous curation and innovative presentation, Sculpted Celadon of the Goryeo Dynasty offers a profound exploration of one of Korea’s most treasured artistic legacies. The exhibition serves as both a celebration of the past and a source of inspiration for the present, inviting all to marvel at the enduring elegance of Goryeo craftsmanship.
