Volta
Culture15th – 16th century

Buncheong Ware

Also called: Buncheong, Punch’ong ware

Grey stoneware coated with white slip and glazed. It grew out of late Goryeo inlaid celadon and flourished in the 15th century, prized for its free, unpretentious style.

Buncheong bottle with inlaid lotus scroll design — 15th century, National Museum of Korea
Buncheong bottle with inlaid lotus scroll design — 15th century, National Museum of Korea

Eggmoon · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Source

It appeared as late-Goryeo inlaid celadon declined and was widely used in early Joseon, in the 15th century. Its hallmark is a grey body dressed with white slip; the name abbreviates “grey-blue ware dressed with slip”. Decoration was varied: inlay, stamping, sgraffito (scraping slip away), brushed slip, dipping in slip and painting in iron.

Free designs and a rustic charm made it an everyday ware for ordinary people as well. It faded in the 16th century as white porcelain spread.

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The map in 1430

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States and rulers at the time
Joseon — Sejong

Before and after

Earlier
1429 Nongsa jikseol compiled
Later
1432 The Ganui Platform and Armillary Spheres

Themes that include this event

  • Changes in Korean Ceramics8000 BC – 1900

    From comb-pattern pottery to blue-and-white porcelain — earthenware, Goryeo plain and inlaid celadon, buncheong, white porcelain and blue-and-white