Korean Ceramics Book

Korea boasts a ceramics history that dates back 10 000 years.

Korean ceramics book.

It does however cover contemporary korean ceramic artists. Book is a little bit on the small side and generally leaves out the early history of korean ceramics beginning only in the koryo period except for one or two examples. This is one of the best books on korean ceramics in english. Korean ceramic trends had an influence on japanese pottery and porcelain.

When there is decoration it covers less of the vessel and takes either the form of the incised motifs of the previous period or applied clay bands. The book is written from the viewpoint of the different worlds korea experienced from pre history to the present day with the changing needs for and utility of the ceramics themselves. Korean pottery may not be ornate nor is it imposing in size but it is distinguished by its infinite embrace of nature. It gives a behind the scenes view of how influenced the japanese were by korean ceramics.

Korean bronze age pottery tends to be undecorated walls are thicker and there is a greater variety of shapes typically steamers bowls with pedestals and jars with handles. In the early stoneware riutual vessels used in korea and japan were very similar due to a shared culture. Very charming story of how a japanese collector came to love korean ceramics.