Korea, Koryo period (918-1392)
Cupstand with five-petal flange
celadon, 6 x 14.5 cm
Gift of Mr J Hepburn Myrtle 1989
253.1989

Korea

Korea's destiny has been shaped by its geographical position. Contained within a peninsula on the northeastern coast of the Chinese continent, it has been subject to influences from the north Asiatic cultures of Manchuria and Siberia as well as from China. A particular highlight of the Gallery's collections are the serenely beautiful celadons of the famous Koryo dynasty (918-1392), created under the patronage of a court devoted to Buddhism. Buddhism reached Korea in the 4th century and was successfully adopted as the state religion by the so-called Three Kingdoms, which comprised Korea as that time. The Koryo dynasty maintained Buddhism as the state religion and fostered a close contact with the court of Song dynasty China. During the 1100s, a time of peace and prosperity, Korean arts reached an unrivalled level of refinement. During the Choson dynasty (1392-1910) Confucianism came to prominence, resulting in an artistic heritage quite different from that created under the wealthy and refined Koryo court. For example, the emphasis on learning privileged all the implements of writing and cultivated an aesthetic of sturdiness, honesty and fitness of purpose. However, among the folk arts, colour and expressiveness flourished as reflected in Korea's inimitable folk paintings.