Page 64 - Symbols_of_Identity_Korean_Ceramics_from the Chang Collection

Joseon Dynasty (1392–1910)

ounded in 1392 by Yi Seonggye (1335–1408), known as King Taejo (r. 1392–98), the Joseon
Fdynasty would become one of the longest in world history. The rulers of this period
were inspired by the idea of creating a society and government based on the principles of
Neo-Confucianism. These included a moral code of behavior emphasizing respect and
reverence of subjects to rulers, wives to husbands, and children toward parents. Equally,
the seniors of the relationships had duties of benevolence and concern toward the juniors.

As in previous periods of Korean history, a strict hierarchical, segregated society existed
where rank and status were of utmost importance, but the values and philosophies of Neo-
Confucianism would provide the major basis for structure, stability, and unity throughout.
An elite class known as the yangban consisted of civil and military officials. Commoners
made up the majority of the population and consisted mainly of farmers, and below them
in status were slaves.

The fifteenth and sixteenth centuries saw a significant period of cultural growth for Korea
with new styles and forms of art, while continuing to incorporate and adapt ideas from
China. With the establishment of the Joseon dynasty, the heavy influence of the Buddhist
church was curbed. King Sejong (r. 1418–1450) was one of the most important rulers in
Korean history and helped cultivate advancements in arts and sciences. He established the
Hall of Worthies, an institution of scholars that would create the Korean alphabet, hanguel,
which is used by Koreans today.

The Joseon ceramics featured in this catalogue include porcelains, buncheong ware, onggi
ware and other stonewares. The simple, plain white porcelain produced during the Joseon
dynasty, which may have been spurred by imported high quality white wares from China,
reached peak production during the eighteenth century. The undecorated surface of these
white wares symbolized the Neo-Confucianism virtues of humbleness, purity, and frugal-
ity—ideals that defined yangban culture. Ceremonial porcelain dishes and incense burners
were used for honoring ancestors, an important ritual and duty for families.

Porcelains with cobalt decoration were used for a variety of purposes. The aesthetic taste
for blue and white porcelain in Korea came from China, where cobalt was used for blue
pigment on ceramics, first employed during the ninth century and then regularly starting
in the fourteenth century onwards. The cobalt initially came from mines in Iran, or in the
vicinity of, and may have been used as a pigment on Middle Eastern ceramics before it was
adopted in China. According to the 1591 publication of Shiwu Ganzhu by Huang Yizheng,
the price of imported cobalt in China was double that of gold. In Korea, blue and white
1
porcelain began in the mid-fifteenth century. Although cobalt did exist in Korea, the qual-
ity was deemed inferior, so the ore was imported from China. As the price of the precious
2

1 G. St. G. M. Gompertz, Korean Pottery and Porcelain of the Yi Period (New York: Frederick A. Praeger, 1968), 54.

2 Ibid., 55.

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