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| Rare Goryeo-era celadon wares, which were recovered from underwater excavations off the coast of Taean County, South Chungcheong Province from 2007 to 2010, are on view at the Taean National Maritime Museum. Courtesy of National Research Institute of Maritime Cultural Heritage |
By Park Han-sol
It was May 2007 when a fisherman working off the coast of Taean's Daeseom Island in South Chungcheong Province caught in his fish trap a webfoot octopus grabbing onto what appeared to be a celadon bowl from the Goryeo period (918-1392).
The chance discovery soon led to a historic excavation of relics in the waters around Daeseom and Mado Islands from 2007 to 2010, conducted by the National Research Institute of Maritime Cultural Heritage.
The results were astounding.
The institute uncovered cargo ships carrying over 29,000 artifacts that have been submerged for around nine centuries, including thousands of celadon items and wooden tags inscribed with detailed information about the articles.
Among the maritime cultural heritage items that have been conserved and studied since then, 12th- and 13th-century celadon wares, which were designated treasures by the government, have been brought together for the exhibition, "Goryeo Celadon from the Sea off Taean," at the Taean National Maritime Museum.
The exhibition marks the first curated showcase of all treasure-designated celadon wares since their underwater excavation over a decade ago.
The "Toad-shaped Inkstone with Paste-on-paste Design" from the 12th century was discovered in 2007. The piece, which takes the form of a toad crouching down while raising its head, is covered with black and white spots on the surface.
Among just a handful of celadon inkstones that survive to the present day, this is the one and only relic shaped like a toad, according to the state-run institute.
The pair, "Incense Burners with Lion-shaped Lid," found within the same vessel that contained the inkstone, is also on view. Their lid is especially noteworthy, as it is reminiscent of a distinctly shaped, three-legged lion holding a pearl in its paw.
And of course, when one speaks of Goryeo-era celadon ware, iconic vases cannot go without mention.
Two prunus vases at the exhibition were excavated in 2010. One is incised with the designs of lotus and stem, while another is inlaid with patterns of chrysanthemum, peony, willow, heron and bamboo.
Accompanying the two relics are bamboo strips inscribed with records detailing the name and status of the recipient as well as the contents inside. This makes them the only surviving prunus vases that have been clearly identified in terms of their use.
"Goryeo Celadon from the Sea off Taean" runs from Friday to June 25, 2023 at the Taean National Maritime Museum.
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