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About The Catalogue

his catalogue is divided into three sections: Three Kingdoms/Unified Silla (57 BC–935
TAD), Goryeo (918–1392), and Joseon (1392–1910). Each section begins with a brief his-
torical overview and description of the types of ceramics represented in that section. The
BC and AD era designations are used in accordance with the Smithsonian Asian Cultural
History Program style sheet.

Every object in the catalogue includes a catalogue number, an estimated time period of
manufacture based on the style of the piece, thermoluminescence (TL) test results with the
approximate time span within which the piece was last fired (based on the test), the type
of ceramic (i.e., earthenware, stoneware, or, porcelain), and the measurements of the piece
listed in centimeters (representing the maximum dimensions of the object).

Some objects did not have TL tests administered or the results were not available from the
collector; therefore there are no TL test results listed for those pieces. The estimated time
period of manufacture, based on traditional connoisseurship, generally matches with the
TL test results. However, there are some cases where the test results differ from the most
likely estimated date of manufacture.

On the right-hand column of each page is a descriptive paragraph about the physical
characteristics of the ceramic piece followed by information on the historical context of
the piece, its purpose, or how it was likely used. Specific references appear as footnotes
and are numbered separately for each catalogue entry. Korean spellings throughout the
catalogue follow the Revised Romanization system. Exceptions include words such as
“kimchi,” where the Romanization has been long been established and accepted. Chinese
(Mandarin) words follow the Pinyin Romanization system. Korean terms are either pre-
ceded or followed by “Kr” and Chinese terms are either preceded or followed by “Ch” and
are placed in parenthesis.

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