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Korean Ceramics & Pottery

Korean pottery is notable for its age-old construction methods and distinctive glazes. Celadon and white porcelain, sophisticated figurines, and functional yet elaborately patterned vessels are hallmarks of Korea's ceramics tradition.

The Goguryeo, Baekje, and Silla kingdoms of Korea (57 B.C. to 668 A.D.) have been largely credited with the inception of the country’s ceramic tradition. Coarse domestic wares were produced during this "Three Kingdoms of Korea" period, as well highly sophisticated figurines used for votive shrines. Korean pottery during this time was constructed using both the age-old hammered clay and coil method and the potter’s wheel, which offered newfound possibilities of ceramic forms.

In the 14th century, superior clays and glazes were introduced into the ceramic process. These yielded white porcelain as well as celadon, a bluish-green glaze realized through the addition of iron oxide during the firing process. Both became mainstays in Korean pottery.

The Joseon Dynasty (1392-1897 A.D.) is considered to be the golden age of Korean pottery due to the diversity of styles and prolific output of the period. Austere, functional white porcelain coexisted with elaborately patterned vessels often adorned with lotus flowers and willow trees.


Quick Facts

  • Invented during the Joseon Dynasty, the chambered climbing kilns of Korea demonstrate an integral aspect of their achievements in the realm of ceramics. They were exported to Japan during this period
  • The Korean ceramics of the Goryeo Dynasty (918 – 1392 A.D.) are largely regarded as the finest small-scale ceramic works in Korean history
  • Nobility and the scholarly Confucian class traditionally used white porcelain vessels to mark ceremonial occasions, a material which they prized for its understated elegance

Recommended Items at Auction

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A KOREAN BLUE AND WHITE 'LION' WATER DROPPER, JOSEON DYNASTY
Feb 22, 11:00 AM JST
A KOREAN BLUE AND WHITE 'LION' WATER DROPPER, JOSEON DYNASTY
by Fukuoka Yumekai Auction
Est: ¥0- ¥0
¥10,0002 Bids
A KOREAN BLUE AND WHITE JAR, JOSEON DYNASTY
Feb 22, 11:00 AM JST
A KOREAN BLUE AND WHITE JAR, JOSEON DYNASTY
by Fukuoka Yumekai Auction
Est: ¥0- ¥0
¥10,0000 Bids
A SMALL KOREAN UNDERGLAZE-RED PAINTED BLUE AND WHITE JAR, JOSEON DYNASTY
Feb 22, 11:00 AM JST
A SMALL KOREAN UNDERGLAZE-RED PAINTED BLUE AND WHITE JAR, JOSEON DYNASTY
by Fukuoka Yumekai Auction
Est: ¥0- ¥0
¥10,0000 Bids
A KOREAN BLUE AND WHITE FISH SHAPED WATER DROPPER, JOSEON DYNASTY
Feb 22, 11:00 AM JST
A KOREAN BLUE AND WHITE FISH SHAPED WATER DROPPER, JOSEON DYNASTY
by Fukuoka Yumekai Auction
Est: ¥0- ¥0
¥10,0000 Bids
A KOREAN BLACK GLAZED FLASK, JOSEON DYNASTY
Feb 22, 11:00 AM JST
A KOREAN BLACK GLAZED FLASK, JOSEON DYNASTY
by Fukuoka Yumekai Auction
Est: ¥0- ¥0
¥10,0000 Bids
A KOREAN WHITE GLAZED FLUTED JAR, JOSEON DYNASTY
Feb 22, 11:00 AM JST
A KOREAN WHITE GLAZED FLUTED JAR, JOSEON DYNASTY
by Fukuoka Yumekai Auction
Est: ¥0- ¥0
¥50,0000 Bids
Korean Porcelain Bottle; Chinese Longquan & Cizhou
Feb 16, 10:15 AM EST
Korean Porcelain Bottle; Chinese Longquan & Cizhou
by Eddie's Auction
Est: $400- $600
$2000 Bids
KOREAN SILLA DYNASTY STYLE STORAGE JAR
Feb 09, 2:00 PM PST
KOREAN SILLA DYNASTY STYLE STORAGE JAR
by District Auction
Est: $100- $200
$500 Bids
GROUP 3 KOREAN SILLA DYNASTY STYLE POTTERY PIECES
Feb 09, 2:00 PM PST
GROUP 3 KOREAN SILLA DYNASTY STYLE POTTERY PIECES
by District Auction
Est: $100- $200
$500 Bids
A KOREAN BLUE AND WHITE FACETED WATER DROPPER, JOSEON DYNASTY
Feb 22, 11:00 AM JST
A KOREAN BLUE AND WHITE FACETED WATER DROPPER, JOSEON DYNASTY
by Fukuoka Yumekai Auction
Est: ¥0- ¥0
¥10,0000 Bids
A KOREAN BLUE AND WHITE FACETED JAR, JOSEON DYNASTY
Feb 22, 11:00 AM JST
A KOREAN BLUE AND WHITE FACETED JAR, JOSEON DYNASTY
by Fukuoka Yumekai Auction
Est: ¥0- ¥0
¥10,0000 Bids
A KOREAN CELADON 'LION' SEAL, GORYEO DYNASTY
Feb 22, 11:00 AM JST
A KOREAN CELADON 'LION' SEAL, GORYEO DYNASTY
by Fukuoka Yumekai Auction
Est: ¥0- ¥0
¥10,0000 Bids
A KOREAN CELADON 'DAOIST FIGURE' WATER DROPPER, GORYEO DYNASTY
Feb 22, 11:00 AM JST
A KOREAN CELADON 'DAOIST FIGURE' WATER DROPPER, GORYEO DYNASTY
by Fukuoka Yumekai Auction
Est: ¥0- ¥0
¥10,0000 Bids
A KOREAN CELADON DOUBLE-GOURD EWER, GORYEO DYNASTY
Feb 22, 11:00 AM JST
A KOREAN CELADON DOUBLE-GOURD EWER, GORYEO DYNASTY
by Fukuoka Yumekai Auction
Est: ¥0- ¥0
¥10,0000 Bids
A KOREAN CELADON OIL BOTTLE, GORYEO DYNASTY
Feb 22, 11:00 AM JST
A KOREAN CELADON OIL BOTTLE, GORYEO DYNASTY
by Fukuoka Yumekai Auction
Est: ¥0- ¥0
¥10,0000 Bids
A KOREAN INLAID CELADON 'CHRYSANTHEMUM' CUP, GORYEO DYNASTY
Feb 22, 11:00 AM JST
A KOREAN INLAID CELADON 'CHRYSANTHEMUM' CUP, GORYEO DYNASTY
by Fukuoka Yumekai Auction
Est: ¥0- ¥0
¥10,0000 Bids
A KOREAN UNDERGLAZE-IRON PAINTED WHITE GLAZED, JOSEON DYNASTY
Feb 22, 11:00 AM JST
A KOREAN UNDERGLAZE-IRON PAINTED WHITE GLAZED, JOSEON DYNASTY
by Fukuoka Yumekai Auction
Est: ¥0- ¥0
¥10,0000 Bids
A KOREAN BUNCHEONG WATER VESSEL WITH INLAID FISH AND CHRYSANTHEMUM DESIGN, JOSEON DYNASTY
Feb 22, 11:00 AM JST
A KOREAN BUNCHEONG WATER VESSEL WITH INLAID FISH AND CHRYSANTHEMUM DESIGN, JOSEON DYNASTY
by Fukuoka Yumekai Auction
Est: ¥0- ¥0
¥10,0000 Bids
A KOREAN BUNCHEONG STEM CUP WITH INLAID CRANE AND FISH DESIGN, JOSEON DYNASTY
Feb 22, 11:00 AM JST
A KOREAN BUNCHEONG STEM CUP WITH INLAID CRANE AND FISH DESIGN, JOSEON DYNASTY
by Fukuoka Yumekai Auction
Est: ¥0- ¥0
¥10,0000 Bids
A LARGE KOREAN INLAID BUNCHEONG JAR, JOSEON DYNASTY
Feb 22, 11:00 AM JST
A LARGE KOREAN INLAID BUNCHEONG JAR, JOSEON DYNASTY
by Fukuoka Yumekai Auction
Est: ¥0- ¥0
¥10,0000 Bids
A KOREAN UNDERGLAZE-IRON PAINTED WHITE GLAZED CONTAINER, JOSEON DYNASTY
Feb 22, 11:00 AM JST
A KOREAN UNDERGLAZE-IRON PAINTED WHITE GLAZED CONTAINER, JOSEON DYNASTY
by Fukuoka Yumekai Auction
Est: ¥0- ¥0
¥10,0000 Bids
A LARGE KOREAN WHITE GLAZED JAR, JOSEON DYNASTY
Feb 22, 11:00 AM JST
A LARGE KOREAN WHITE GLAZED JAR, JOSEON DYNASTY
by Fukuoka Yumekai Auction
Est: ¥0- ¥0
¥10,0000 Bids
A KOREAN CARVED BUNCHEONG 'FLOWER AND FISH' FLASK, JOSEON DYNASTY
Feb 22, 11:00 AM JST
A KOREAN CARVED BUNCHEONG 'FLOWER AND FISH' FLASK, JOSEON DYNASTY
by Fukuoka Yumekai Auction
Est: ¥0- ¥0
¥10,0000 Bids
A KOREAN CELADON 'TORTOISE' OIL LAMP, GORYEO DYNASTY
Feb 22, 11:00 AM JST
A KOREAN CELADON 'TORTOISE' OIL LAMP, GORYEO DYNASTY
by Fukuoka Yumekai Auction
Est: ¥0- ¥0
¥10,0000 Bids

Sellers Who Sell Korean Ceramics & Pottery


Fukuoka Yumekai Auction

Fukuoka Yumekai Auction

Scollard Auctions

Scollard Auctions

District Auction

District Auction

Hannam's Auctioneers

Hannam's Auctioneers