Bowl,

15th century

Buncheong, meaning “powdered celadon,” is the successor to high-quality celadons produced during the Goryeo dynasty. Made using the same basic materials as celadon, buncheong is distinguished for the decorative use of a white slip underneath the celadon glaze, which creates its “powdered” appearance. Seen as common and rough compared to their Goryeo predecessors, these wares reveal a change in patronage and aesthetics that resulted from the new political regime of the Joseon dynasty, which eschewed Buddhism and advocated Neo-Confucianism from Song-dynasty China (960–1279). This bowl has incised designs typical of buncheong ware from the southern Jeolla province. Despite its initial popularity, buncheong production came to an end around 1580. However, its renown persisted in Japanese tea culture, where buncheong bowls were valued as antiques. The Korean potters taken to Japan after the Japanese invasions of Korea from 1592 to 1598 introduced the technique to the archipelago.

Sol Jung, Shirley Z. Johnson Assistant Curator of Japanese Art, Smithsonian National Museum of Asian Art