Korean jade carving

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A pair of king's earrings, made from gold and jade, early 6th century (Baekje). From tomb of King Munyeong muryeongwang geumgwigeoli.jpg
A pair of king's earrings, made from gold and jade, early 6th century (Baekje). From tomb of King Munyeong

The tradition of Korean jade carving dates back to neolithic finds along the Namgang river basin in Gyeongju. [1] [2] [3] Jade rings and accessories made from both nephrite and jadeite were worn by the higher classes of society, especially women, from the three kingdoms period and reached their peak in the Joseon dynasty, the golden age of jadework. [1] Carved jade artifacts found in Silla dynasty tombs appear to be made from jade originating from Japan and Taiwan, suggested sea trade of jade existed prior to the 5th century AD. [2] [4] Korean jadework often includes Buddhist motifs, cicadas, and small peanut-shaped or comma-shaped good luck talismans (called magatama or gogok), as well as larger-scale architectural pieces. [3] [4] A gold crown featuring 58 hanging jade pendants and a gold girdle with 13 jade pendants were both found in the Silla-era tomb of an unknown king, called Cheonmachong (or 'sky horse tomb'), first excavated in 1973. [2] [3]

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Contemporary jade market

In the local markets of Korea there now exists a wide variety of jade carvings and jewelry available for purchase. These items are much less costly than their Chinese counterparts. Mokpo is also the site of master jade carver Jang Ju-won's atelier and exhibit hall. [2]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jade</span> Ornamental stone, commonly green

Jade is a mineral used as jewellery or for ornaments. It is typically green, although may be yellow or white. Jade can refer to either of two different silicate minerals: nephrite, or jadeite.

<i>Gogok</i> Korean curved beads

Gobeunok or Gogok are comma-shaped or curved beads and jewels that appeared from middle age of Mumun Period through the Three Kingdoms of Korea. The Gogok is posited by researchers to have been a symbol of prestige among Mumun culture community leaders as the tombs of presumably powerful figures were oftentimes accompanied by bronze daggers, stone daggers, and comma-shaped jewels. The Gogok's role as a symbol of prestige would carry onto the Three Kingdoms Period of Korea (as Gogok would remain a salient feature of Korean royal paraphernalia. They range in size range from 1 to 10 centimetres, and are oftentimes fashioned with a hole to be attached or threaded to another object. The origin of these comma-shaped jewels are posited by some to originate from the dragon-shaped jadeite ornament of the Hongshan culture of the Liao River Basin. However, due to the spatial and temporal distance, most researchers have been skeptical of their genealogical relationship. The generally accepted interpretation in academia is that the form of the comma-shaped jewel originated from the canine teeth of predator animals or as a symbol of a half-moon sacred to moon worshippers, or as a symbol of fetus and or fertility.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">National Treasure (South Korea)</span>

A National Treasure (Korean: 국보) is a tangible treasure, artifact, site, or building which is recognized by the South Korean government as having exceptional artistic, cultural and historical value to the country. The title is one of the eight State-designated heritage classifications assigned by the administrator of the Cultural Heritage Administration (CHA) in accordance with the Cultural Heritage Protection Act after deliberation by the Cultural Heritage Committee.

<i>Hanbok</i> Traditional Korean clothing

The hanbok is a traditional clothing of the Korean people. The term hanbok is primarily used by South Koreans; North Koreans refer to the clothes as chosŏn-ot (조선옷).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Inkstone</span> Stone mortar for the grinding and containment of ink

An inkstone is traditional Chinese stationery. It is a stone mortar for the grinding and containment of ink. In addition to stone, inkstones are also manufactured from clay, bronze, iron, and porcelain. The device evolved from a rubbing tool used for rubbing dyes dating around 6000 to 7000 years ago.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Korean pottery and porcelain</span>

Korean ceramic history begins with the oldest earthenware from around 8000 BC. Throughout the history, the Korean peninsula has been home to lively, innovative, and sophisticated art making. Long periods of stability have allowed for the establishment of spiritual traditions, and artisan technologies specific to the region. Korean ceramics in Neolithic period have a unique geometric patterns of sunshine, or it is decorated with twists. In Southern part of Korea, Mumun pottery were popular. Mumun togi used specific minerals to make colors of red and black. Korean pottery developed a distinct style of its own, with its own shapes, such as the moon jar or Buncheong sagi which is a new form between earthenware and porcelain, white clay inlay celadon of Goryeo, and later styles like minimalism that represents Korean Joseon philosophers' idea. Many talented Korean potters were captured and brought to Japan during the invasions of Korea, where they heavily contributed to advancing Japanese pottery. Arita ware, founded by Yi Sam-pyeong opened a new era of porcelain in Japan. Another Japanese representative porcelain, Satsuma ware was also founded by Dang-gil Shim and Pyeong-ui Park. 14th generation of Su-kwan Shim have been using the same name to his grandfather and father to honor they are originally Korean, 14th Su-kwan Shim is honorable citizen of Namwon, Korea.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Korean art</span>

Korean arts include traditions in calligraphy, music, painting and pottery, often marked by the use of natural forms, surface decoration and bold colors or sounds.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jade use in Mesoamerica</span>

The use of jade in Mesoamerica for symbolic and ideological ritual was highly influenced by its rarity and value among pre-Columbian Mesoamerican cultures, such as the Olmec, the Maya, and the various groups in the Valley of Mexico. Although jade artifacts have been created and prized by many Mesoamerican peoples, the Motagua River valley in Guatemala was previously thought to be the sole source of jadeite in the region.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Crowns of Silla</span>

The crowns of Silla were made in the Korean kingdom of Silla approximately in the 5th–7th centuries.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">National Museum of China</span> Art museum, history museum in Beijing

The National Museum of China (中国国家博物馆) is the national museum of China. It flanks the eastern side of Tiananmen Square in Beijing, China. The museum's mission is to educate about the arts and history of China. It is a level-1 public welfare institution funded by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of China.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Royal girdle of Korea</span>

Several gold girdles of Korea have been excavated. They were symbols of royalty and status, but lesser belts were also worn by governmental officials. These belts have been found in the tombs of Silla and Baekje kings, queens, and the lesser nobility. The lesser girdles can be distinguished based on their size, material, and color. All royal girdles follow a general scheme. The royal girdles are made from pure gold metal plates attached to each other and are adorned with many charms, such as gogok. The symbolism of these charms and their significance has yet been fully ascertained. The practice of wearing girdles probably derives from Chinese traditions. They were generally accessories that were either worn on a crown or pieces of jewellery that symbolized wealth.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chinese jade</span> Chinese jade mined/carved from the Neolithic on

Chinese jade refers to the jade mined or carved in China from the Neolithic onward. It is the primary hardstone of Chinese sculpture. Although deep and bright green jadeite is better known in Europe, for most of China's history, jade has come in a variety of colors and white "mutton-fat" nephrite was the most highly praised and prized. Native sources in Henan and along the Yangtze were exploited since prehistoric times and have largely been exhausted; most Chinese jade today is extracted from the northwestern province of Xinjiang.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gwanbok</span>

Gwanbok is a Korean term which was borrowed from the Chinese terms guanfu and guanfu. The term gwanbok is a collective term which refers to historical official attire, which was bestowed by the government court, including Chinese courts of various dynasties. The guanfu (冠服) system was a court attire system in China which also formed part of the Hanfu system. This system was them spread to neighbouring countries and was adopted in Korea since ancient times in different periods through the ritual practice of bestowal of clothing. Acknowledgement through bestowed robes and crowns (冠服) from the Emperor of China, who held hegemony over East Asia, would give support to Korean Kings and successors, as being the authentic rulers of their country as well as confirmed the political status of the Korean kingdom in the rest of the Sinosphere. The gwanbok system in Korea was different for each kingdom and changed throughout different periods. For example, initially given by the Chinese court in ritual practice, successive gwanbok were more often than not locally manufactured in Korea with different colours and adopted into hanbok. The gwanbok, which was used as the uniform of court officials, formed part of the gwanbok system and was used like the suit is nowadays.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fu (tally)</span>

Fu was a tally, which was used as a proof of authorization in ancient China, which typically consists of two parts. Generals would use the fu as an imperial authorization for troop movements and for other purposes while amongst the populace, it was used as a proof of authorization for goods exchanges or for leases. The official fu was made of bamboo, wood, metal or jade. Although it could be made in various shapes, most of them come in the shape of a tiger.

Chinese influence on Korean culture can be traced back as early as the Goguryeo period; these influences can be demonstrated in the Goguryeo tomb mural paintings. Throughout its history, Korea has been greatly influenced by Chinese culture, borrowing the written language, arts, religions, and models of government administration from China, and, in the process, transforming these borrowed traditions into distinctly Korean forms.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Qixiong ruqun</span> A type of Chinese set of attire

Qixiong ruqun, which can also be referred as Qixiong shanqun, also known as "chest-high ruqun", is a set of attire in hanfu, the traditional Chinese clothing worn by the Han Chinese. The qixiong ruqun is a unique style of ruqun, which is characterized with a high waistline qun, Chinese skirt. The qun used in the qixiong ruqun is generally tied above the bust level. It was worn by women during the Southern dynasties, Sui dynasty, Tang dynasty and Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period. The style was also revived in the early and middle Ming dynasty.

Hanfu accessories refers to the various form of fashion accessories and self-adornments used and worn with hanfu throughout Chinese history. Hanfu consists of many forms of miscellaneous accessories, such as jewelries, yaopei, ribbons, shawls, scarves, and hand-held accessories, etc.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chinese hairpin</span> Chinese hair ornaments

Ji (筓) and chai (钗) are generic term for hairpin in China. 'Ji' is also the term used for hairpins of the Qin dynasty. The earliest form of Chinese hair stick was found in the Neolithic Hemudu culture relics; the hair stick was called ji (笄), and were made from bones, horns, stones, and jade.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Yupei</span> Chinese jade pendant

Yupei is a generic term for jade pendants. Yupei were popular even before Confucius was born. Jade culture is an important component of Chinese culture, reflecting both the material and spiritual culture. Jade is deeply ingrained in Chinese culture and played a role in every aspect of social life; it is also associated with positive qualities and aspects such as purity, excellence, and harmony.Jade is even more valued than gold in Chinese culture. The history of the art of jade carving in China to make ornaments, including dress ornaments, extends back to before 5000 BC. Ancient Chinese held even greater importance to yupei after it was regarded as a moral integrity by Confucius. Yupei could be used as belt or waist ornaments and as necklaces which appeared as early as the Liangzhu culture. Strings of jade pendant are also used to decorate headwear, such as the mianguan.

Chinese ornamental gold silk is a type of silk fabric which employs gold as ornamentation; Chinese ornamental gold silk originated in China and have a long history in China. Gold and silk were precious goods; the combination of both in textiles created one of the most valuable commodities. Several gold-ornamental techniques can be summarized as: gold foil, gold powder, and gold thread technique.

References

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  2. 1 2 3 4 Keverne, Roger (1991). Jade. New York: Springer Science+Business Media. pp. 218–219. ISBN   978-1-4615-3922-3. OCLC   840285373.
  3. 1 2 3 Pratt, Keith; Rutt, Richard (2013). Korea: A Historical and Cultural Dictionary. Taylor & Francis. p. 165. ISBN   9781136793936.
  4. 1 2 West, Elizabeth H. (1963). "Jade: Its Character and Occurrence". Expedition. 5 (3): 8. ProQuest   131179753 via ProQuest.