White Porcelain in the Joseon Dynasty

The production of white porcelain in Korea can be traced back to around the 10th century in the Goryeo Dynasty, but the full-fledged manufacturing of high-quality white porcelain began following the establishment of Bunwon—royal kilns in Gwangju, Gyeonggi Province in the late 15th century—which was an affiliated organization of saongwon. Saongwon was responsible for all tasks related to the provision of meals for kings and cuisines used for court banquets, while bunwon was engaged in producing white porcelains under the direct supervision of the royal court until the late 19th century. The Joseon Dynasty’s royal court established production standards for crafts to produce high-quality, sophisticated handicrafts, making great effort to put the related systems and policies in place. Pure white porcelain enjoyed its peak days throughout the Joseon Dynasty as austerity was worshiped as the core spirit of courtesy and edification at the time, with Confucianism installed as state ideology.

To commemorate Ewha Womans University Museum's 80th anniversary, the Museum is proud to present a special exhibition of its collection entitled “White Porcelain in the Joseon Dynasty.” In light of recent research discoveries and trends, this spring exhibition aims to display the variety and dynamicity of Joseon white porcelains, the dynasty’s most demanded and widely manufactured ceramics, in a collection not confined to styles and times. Throughout the exhibition halls on the first and second floors, the Museum features 000 pieces of Joseon white porcelains, including National Treasure No. 107 – the White Porcelain Jar with Grapevine Design in Underglaze Iron, along with the relevant materials excavated at kiln sites. We cordially request the honor of your attendance at the exhibition celebrating the Museum's 80-year journey.