Sotdae

By Sam-kyun Yoon
Pine
2007

Erecting sotdae (pronounced SOHT-day) at the entrance to a village or by an ancestral grave is a very old Korean tradition still practiced today. These carved ducks atop tall wooden poles guard against the three calamities—flood, fire, and windstorm and three disasters—war, pestilence, and famine.

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Mirror

Bronze
Goryeo dynasty (918 AD – 1392 AD)
Loaned by Dr. Chester and Mrs. Wanda Chang

Bronze mirrors were essential accessories for women of the Goryeo court. The mirrors were also placed in tombs to quiet spirits.

Translation of Chinese: bright and great shining heaven

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Carving of tiger with two human figures

Antler, green dye Undated (collected in 1890s)
Collected by Commodore Robert Shufeldt
Smithsonian, Dept. of Anthropology,
Ethnology collection

The Korea Gallery explores cultural interpretations of nature. The phrase "Long ago when the tiger smoked and the rabbit talked to dragons..." is a popular way to begin Korean folktales, conjuring up a magical past. In Korean myths, folklore, and folk art, white tigers often appear accompanied by mountain spirits. From prehistoric times, Koreans have associated mountains and tigers with their country. Buddhists also often chose mountain locations for monasteries and monuments.

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Bottle

Stoneware
11th–13th century, Goryeo
Smithsonian, Dept. of Anthropology,
Archeology collection

The unglazed stoneware tradition continued during the Goryeo period as an affordable alternative to the Goryeo dynasty’s glazed celadon. The hole in the bottle’s narrow neck admitted air to make pouring easier.

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Water dropper (Yeonjeok)

Porcelain with cobalt decoration
19th–20th century
Gift of Virgil Hillyer Fund
Smithsonian, Dept. of Anthropology,
Ethnology collection

This porcelain dropper is used to wet the inkstone, from which a calligrapher’s brush gets the ink for writing.

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Incense burner

Porcelain with cobalt decoration
19th century, Joseon
Donated by H. B. Hulbert
Smithsonian, Dept. of Anthropology,
Ethnology collection

This shape, made with a mold, features a plum blossom motif, an emblem of the royal court and symbol of courage and nobility. Typically, the container would have held lit incense sticks set into ash.

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Flask with flower design

Stoneware, buncheong ware
15–16th century, Joseon
Smithsonian, Dept. of Anthropology,
Ethnology collection

The freely drawn flower carved through the clay slip achieves the distinctive buncheong style. A wheel-thrown jar was flattened into this shape, commonly used to hold liquor.

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Tea/coffee cup and saucer

Stoneware
2006
Donated by Icheon Ceramics Company (Korea)

Like many 20th-century arts, mass production of ceramics in large workshops made quality works more accessible to Koreans. The classic Korean buncheong style has been adapted to this western-style cup and saucer.

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Jar with abstract design

Stoneware, inlaid celadon
1998
By Bang Chul-ju (artist name Hyuck San)
Loaned by the artist

This jar simultaneously reflects the influence of the inlaid celadon tradition, invented by Korean potters nearly 900 years ago, and a modern aesthetic influenced by international art movements.

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Water vessel (kundika)

Stoneware, celadon glaze
12th century, Goryeo
Smithsonian, Dept. of Anthropology,
Ethnology collection

During the 12th century, kundika were used by all classes of Koreans for storing water. Clay spurs on this vessel’s foot and the color of the glaze show that it was made at a provincial kiln. If it had been made at a central government kiln, silica chips would have been used.

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Taylor & Hee-soo

2007

The Korea Gallery has benefited from partnerships with other institutions and sponsors. Paul Michael Taylor (Smithsonian) (left) and Kim Hee-soo (National Folk Museum of Korea) in the Asian Cultural History Program offices, preparing objects for the "Korean Ceramics" and the "Honoring Family" components of the exhibition. (April, 2007)

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Jar with auspicious symbols

2007

Porcelain with cobalt decoration
18–19th century, Joseon Dynasty
Loaned by Dr. Chester and Mrs. Wanda Chang

Typically found in women’s quarters, jars like this vessel stored cooking sauces. The decorations are symbols of wealth and prosperity, including cash, peony, and tied scrolls.

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Decorative pendant (Samjak norigae)

20th Century, with older components (jeweled butterfly, coral branch, jade, and amber)
Gift of the Lee Young Hee Museum

Korean weddings celebrate a courtly past. Many of the beautiful clothes and rituals originated during the Joseon dynasty (1392–1910). At that time only members of the court, shamans, and performers dressed colorfully, and commoners had to wear white. One exception was a wedding, when the bride, groom, and others as well, donned colorful, courtly clothes.

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