The Making and Production Circumstances of Child Design Goryeo Celadon

Abstract

This paper aims to reveal how and when child design celadon was produced in Goryeo and the circumstances under which the designs were created. As child design celadon vessels are discovered in kiln sites in Gangjin and Buan or at palace sites or tombs of royal family where they were used, it is likely that they were made for the ruling class. The design first appeared on celadon ware in the 12<sup>th</sup> century and was mainly produced and consumed in the 13<sup>th</sup> century. Its appearance decreased after the early 14th century as influences of the Yuan culture changed the culture of Goryeo. Child designs on Goryeo celadon could be categorized into two major types: type A, which combines child design with plant scroll motifs and type B, where child designs are drawn in picture-like detail. The type A is similar to Ding ware from Song and Jin dynasties, and the type B to paintings of Song dynasty. The influences to the child design were analyzed by examining images that had been popular in China, tracing how they were introduced to Goryeo, and studying related historical documents. Child designs on Goryeo celadon are the outcome of active cultural exchanges with surrounding countries and art works that traveled between them. It serves as an example that demonstrates how an image was introduced and accepted in medieval East Asian international relations.