Bowl, 15th century

Buncheong, meaning “powdered celadons,” is the successor to Goryeo celadons. While using the same basic materials as celadon, buncheong is distinctive for the decorative use of a white slip underneath the celadon glaze, which creates its “powdered” appearance. These wares are seen as common and rough compared to their Goryeo predecessors, but they reveal a change in patronage and aesthetics that resulted from the new political regime of the Joseon dynasty. Such changes are reflected in official Joseon ideology, which eschewed Buddhism and advocated Neo-Confucianism from Song dynasty (960–1279) China. This bowl has incised designs, which are distinctive of buncheong ware from the southern Jeolla province. Despite its initial popularity, however, buncheong production came to an abrupt end due to the Japanese invasions of Korea from 1592 to 1598. Korean potters taken to Japan initiated buncheong revivals, spreading appreciation of its aesthetics among Japanese potters and patrons.