Iron-Painted Celadons

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When it comes to Goryeo-era celadon ceramics, inlaid works in a jade-green glaze used by nobles typically come into mind. However, there were celadon ceramics used by ordinary people at the time as well. Let's take a look at the charms of iron-painted celadon.

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Plants and flowers were drawn on this work of pottery using black paint mixed with iron. A closer look reveals that the background color is a blackish blue. This is a work of iron-painted celadon, which flourished in the 12th and 13th centuries. Unlike inlaid celadon with jade-green glaze used by royalty and the nobility during the Goryeo period, the work is simple and unsophisticated, but it is also full of character. Such pottery was used for various purposes in everyday life, including as cosmetics jars, ink containers or washbowls.

[Soundbite] Yoo Jin-hyun(Head of Curators' Team, Horim Museum) : "Iron-painted celadon was used by a wide range of people from royalty and the nobility to the general public."

Roughly 220 works of iron-painted celadon have been gathered together. A percussion instrument with a pattern of lotus flowers and an unglazed bottle are among the many works on display, produced in various ways.

[Soundbite] Kim Seung-hee(Visitor) : "They seem more approachable, because they are used as musical instruments or dishes."

In particular, both inlaid and iron-painted works can be seen at once, demonstrating the diverse charms of Goryeo period celadon ceramics.