ㅇ Exhibited Works : Approximately 90 pieces of Longquan ware

The NMK hosts a thematic exhibition of Longquan ware from the Sinan wreck. Running from March 22 to June 19, 2011 at the Sinan Shipwreck Collection Room in the Asia Gallery, the exhibition features approximately 90 pieces of Longquan ware, including 20 unknown pieces.

 

The Sinan wreck was a merchant ship that sank off the coast of Sinan in 1323, part of the Yuan dynasty of China, when it was en route from Ningbo, China to Kyoto, Japan. The ship was inadvertently discovered by a fisherman over 650 years later, in 1975, and the site was excavated from 1976 to 1984. Over 30,000 artifacts were brought to the surface. These included more than 20,000 pieces of ceramics, of which more than 14,000 pieces were Longquan ware.

 

The term “celadon” originated from Longquan ware. The opera “l’Astré,” based on a novel by French writer Honoré d'Urfé, was very popular in Europe in the 16th century. Celadon was a shepherd in the opera who loved the heroine, l’Astré, and he wore an aqua colored costume. The term “celadon” came into use to describe Longquan ware as his costume had a similar color. Longquan ware was increasingly sought after in Europe at that time.

 

This exhibition focuses on the characteristics of Longquan ware, including its types, colors, and patterns, as well as various related cultural aspects.

 

The introductory section of the exhibition features various types of Longquan ware from Sinan, including food containers, storages, decorative containers and stationeries. The second section is intended to broaden understanding of the characteristics of Longquan ware by giving an overview of its unique colors, decoration techniques, and patterns, and the final section examines actual use of Longquan ware and its cultural meaning.

 

Most of the artifacts from the Sinan shipwreck were Longquan ware, making them arguably the world’s largest and best quality collection.

 

 

Celadon Vase with Two Grips incised with Lotus Designs

靑磁透刻蓮花文兩耳甁 

 

 

Celadon Vase incised with Peony Vine Designs

靑磁纏枝牡丹文甁

 

Celadon Vase

靑磁玉壺春甁

 

 

Long-neck Celadon Vase

靑磁長頸甁