Goryeo ware

Goryeo celadon emerged in the early 10th century, influenced by Chinese Yue ware and later Northern Song celadons, but Korean potters quickly developed a distinct style. The signature jade-green glaze, achieved with iron oxide and reduced firing, was perfected by the 12th century. The inlay technique (sanggam), which involves incising designs and filling them with white or black slip, was a Korean innovation that became the hallmark of Goryeo ware.¹ Production was centered in the southwestern provinces, particularly around Gangjin and Buan, where over 200 kiln sites have been identified.²

The celadon glaze ranges from pale gray-green to deep emerald, often compared to jade or kingfisher feathers. Vessels include maebyeong (plum vases), bowls, and cosmetic boxes, often adorned with motifs of cranes, clouds, willows, and lotus. The inlay technique allowed for intricate, two-tone decoration that was both durable and visually striking. Some pieces also feature copper-red underglaze, a rare and difficult technique that added a warm accent. The finest wares were produced for the royal court and Buddhist temples, reflecting the era's aristocratic and religious aesthetics.³

After the Mongol invasions in the 13th century, Goryeo celadon declined in quality and output, with a shift toward more utilitarian stoneware. The inlay technique persisted but lost its refinement. In the Joseon period, buncheong ware and white porcelain replaced celadon as the dominant ceramics. However, Goryeo celadon was rediscovered and celebrated in the 20th century as a symbol of Korean cultural identity. Today, it is recognized as a masterpiece of world ceramic art, with examples in major museums worldwide.⁴

Beyond the famous celadon, Goryeo potters also produced black-glazed and iron-painted wares, which are less known but equally significant. Some celadon pieces were made in the shape of animals or mythical creatures, such as dragon-shaped incense burners and duck-shaped water droppers. The exact composition of the glaze remains a subject of study, as modern reproductions have struggled to match the original color. Additionally, a few pieces bear inscriptions that provide insights into court workshops and royal patronage. The Goryeo ware tradition also influenced later Japanese ceramics, particularly in the appreciation of imperfect, natural forms.

Celadon

A type of pottery with a jade-green glaze, produced by firing with iron oxide in a reducing atmosphere.

Sanggam

Korean inlay technique of incising designs and filling them with white or black slip before glazing.

Maebyeong

A plum vase with a rounded body and narrow neck, a common Goryeo celadon form.