ART 198 - HISTORY OF WORLD CERAMICS

Korea is situated as a natural link between China and Japan and often served to convey Chinese cultural ideas into Japan. Aesthetically and technically, Korean ceramics were influenced by China, but developed a style distinctly Korean. The potter's wheel was introduced to Korea from Han dynasty China (200 BCE - 200 CE). Also borrowed from China was the closed kiln design which allowed high temperature stoneware and porcelain firing, such as this unglazed bottle from the Silla Dynasty (55BCE - 935 CE). During this period, the Buddhist doctrine of cremation of the dead was adopted from China.

Silla Dynasty Stoneware Bottle Korea, 700-800 CE