Saehyang P. Chung

10.18399/acta.2008.11.2.006

Koryŏ Celadons Flying Cranes Drifting Clouds Embroidered Silk Tapestry Chinese Textiles Motifs Ornaments Roundels

Among the large variety of elegant and refined inlaid decorations adorning celadon wares from the Koryŏ dynasty (918–1392), the motifs of flying cranes and drifting clouds are undoubtedly the two most popular and celebrated. Despite their immense appeal and beauty, recent scholarship has not yet conducted research on the origin and dissemination of these two ornamental patterns. The lack of research on these important motifs is due to the absence of artistic precedents in Korea, so that scholars of Koryŏ celadons were hitherto unable to trace artistic sources for the flying cranes and drifting cloud designs. In order to better understand the origins of the flying cranes and stylized cloud patterns, it is necessary to explore some Chinese visual precedents from the Tang (618–906), Song (960–1279), Liao (907–1125) and Jin (1115–1234) dynasties. The first part of this paper surveys some examples of flying cranes and cloud motifs depicted on wall paintings, silk fragments, embroidered silk tapestry, and garments. The second part examines several important examples of inlaid celadon wares, for a better understanding of how Koryŏ potters made creative use of the flying cranes and stylized clouds to enhance the beauty of these objects. By identifying the possible Chinese artistic precedents for these ornaments, a much deeper appreciation of these patterns on Koryŏ celadons may be attained.