Ceramics in Goryeo Dynasty from the Kiln Site of Yucheol-ri, Buan-gun, Jeollabuk-do (1983)
The Ewha Womans University Museum obtained some tens of thousands of pieces of ceramics in the 1950s from a kiln site in Jeollabuk-do, Buan--a celadon kiln site of the Goryeo dynasty (918-1392) that rivals the kiln site at Jeollanam-do, Gangjin. For 20 years, since the early 1960s, the pieces were organized and categorized, and some of them were restored. The pieces were displayed, showing that the shape, design, crafting technique, and glaze were not inferior to those of the Gangjin celadon. Through this exhibit, a one-meter tall celadon Maebyeong, which had never been discovered before, various other large celadon peices, a large quantity of plates, which were used as tiles on building exteriors, and a variety of stools with openwork designs were displayed. The ceramics were categorized according to their material, shape, and decoration technique. Pieces with calligraphy engraved upon them were also displayed, thereby greatly contributing to research on the history of Goryeo ceramics.
So-ban (Table) in Joseon Dynasty (1982)
Soban, or small dining tables, at which people sit and dine on the floor, were used throughout Korean history by kings and common people alike, and, until quite recently, were a customary part of Korean dining customs. The Ewha Womans University Museum displayed 70 tables from the late Joseon dynasty (late 19th century to early 20th century). The table exhibition was arranged according to material, shape, use, and regional distinctions in order to help viewers understand the historical flow of Korean dining tables. Moreover, illustrations explaining the name and structure of each part were provided, and a few other pieces of woodwork used in the kitchen, such as a rice chest, cupboard, and sideboard were also displayed.
Ceramics in Goryeo Dynasty (1981)
180 pieces of celadon, white porcelain, and black-brown glaze stoneware of the Goryeo dynasty (918-1392), all owned by the Ewha Womans University Museum, were put on display, highlighting the rich history of Goryeo ceramics. The Goryeo ceramics were categorized according to decoration technique and shape. At this exhibition, the following wares were shown to the public: the "Jar with the Inscription 'The 4th Year of Sunhwa (993),'" National Treasure No. 237, plain celadon with no decorative patterns or celadon with engravings and embossed carvings, such as the "Stool with Openwork Designs," Treasure No. 416, celadon with inlaid design, including the "Maebyeong with Inlaid Design of Figures," underglaze black celadon, such as the "Basin with Floral Design," a Goryeo white porcelain cup stand, black-brown glaze stoneware, such as the large "Bottle with Black-brown Glaze." In addition, 20 Ting ware white porcelain and Yaozhou ware celadon pieces from China's Sung dynasty (979~1279) were displayed so that viewers could compare the ceramics of the two countries.
Wooden Furniture of Joseon Dynasty (1980)
40 pieces of furniture from the late 19th to early 20th century Joseon dynasty (1392-1910) were displayed according to use by men or women in either the sarangbang (men's quarters) or anbang (women's quarters). Due to the gender distinction, the types, shapes, and decorations of furniture in both rooms differed greatly. The furniture in the sarangbang was composed mainly of simple bookshelves, drawers, tables, desks, and chests of drawers. The natural pattern of the wood was accentuated and simple metal accessories were used to decorate the furniture. On the other hand, furniture in the anbang was splendid and charming, consisting mainly of wardrobes, drawers, chests, mirror boxes, and jewelry boxes. The brilliant patterns of wood were accentuated and some of the furniture was decorated with mother-of-pearl or painted ox-horn sheets.
Paintings of Joseon Dynasty (1979)
Extant examples of Korean paintings, broadly defined, include prehistoric rock wall carvings, Goguryeo (37 B.C.-668) murals dating from the 4th century, Goryeo (918-1392) Buddhist paintings, and paintings from the Joseon dynasty (1392-1910). Some 80 Joseon dynasty paintings by about 50 artists, including Jeong Seon (1676~1759) and Kim Hong-do (1745~?), created from the 16th to the early 20th century, were put on display according to the artist's year of birth. The paintings were also arranged according to motif, such as landscape, genre, sagunja (four gracious plants: plum, chrysanthemum, orchid, and bamboo), flowers, flowers and birds, grass and insects, fishes and crabs, miscellaneous animals, and hermits. This exhibition was intended to contribute to research on the history of Joseon painting.
