Korean Celadon: Craftsmanship, Care & Value of Goryeo Ceramics

Prior to the divided history of Korea, the country was united under the rule of the Goryeo and Joseon dynasties – rivalling the prosperity and influence of the neighboring Chinese and Japanese civilisations. One of the most prominent artefacts from these eras is the development of Korean ceramics – with the beautiful jade-toned celadon standing out as the most culturally and artistically significant. 

Above: a selection of Korean celadon ware including a small bottle, maebyeong, miniature jar, oil bottle, wine ewer and stamped bottle

Although celadon can also be found in China and Japan, the Korean variety is highly prized for its unique quality and details. During the Goryeo dynasty, Korean celadon reached its artistic peak. The subsequent Joseon dynasty later developed its own refined porcelain traditions. Some pieces show the ‘sanggam’ technique of inlaid decoration, whilst others display the specific blue-green tone of Goryeo ware. 

Above: a selection of Korean celadon dishes, all dated to the 12th century

Korean celadon from the Goryeo and Joseon periods is not only visually attractive as a collectible antique, but a true artefact – with the cut off point for original pieces being the around the 13th century. For hundreds of years, the technique was forgotten amidst a tumultuous history of invasion, before the Japanese rule of the 20th century sought to bring back the legendary Goryeo wares. 

Korean Celadon Value 

Today, Korean celadon comes in a variety of styles – from sentimental tourist trinkets to high value works of ceramic art. There are, of course, also collectors of the original Goryeo and Joseon era antiques – with the most sought-after artefacts reaching over £10,000 at auction.

In 2024, a celadon glazed cup and stand from the Goryeo dynasty was listed by Sotheby’s at an estimate of $60,000 to $80,000 USD. This cup had subtle lotus petals in a lobed form, similar to pieces found in the National Museum of Korea. 

Above: a celadon tea cup and cup stand dated to the Goryeo dynasty

How was Korean Celadon made?

The manufacturing process of celadon relied on handmade kilns, dug into the earth of rural land. Before each firing, a devotional offering would be made in hope that it would produce perfect results.

Above: three celadon ceramics from the Goryeo era, including a covered jar, bird shaped ewer and pot in the shape of a bamboo shoot

Upon inspection, any ceramic item that was even slightly defective would be destroyed – this means that any antique celadon today would have been deemed truly perfect by the craftsmen. The signature glaze of celadon comes from feldspar, this iron-oxide mineral also contains silica and alumina which produce the elegant colour.

Decorative techniques may affect the glaze, with some being applied before the final firing to produce inlaid, hand-painted or gilt details. The wide variety of celadon vases, cups and dishes that remain today show us many artistic techniques. Some pieces show an open lattice work, whilst others show an incised or relief technique. 

Above: celadon ceramics with hand finished details in white and black

Caring for Celadon Ceramics

With much high value placed on these antiques, it is important to ensure they receive the correct level of care. Firstly, it may be a question of how to maintain and clean celadon ceramics safely – a routine that must require a minimal amount of intervention to ensure the ceramic is not disturbed. 

Antique ceramics should never be cleaned with water or household cleaning products. It may be tempting to leave an old, dusty vase to soak – but this could cause widespread damage as the moisture soaks into any exposed earthenware or porcelain materials under the glaze – or within the natural cracks of the glaze itself. It should go without saying that the use of dishwashers should also be avoided in this scenario due to the heat and moisture. 

The safest way to clean a ceramic at home is with a soft, dry cloth with no application of liquid. Any dirt or dust that appears to be embedded and hard to remove, should be seen to by a conservator to avoid harm or accidental breakage.

Above: a fragment from a ceramic garden stool with an openwork design, 13th century

Lifting antique ceramics should always be undertaken with a plan in place. Lift the piece from the base, never from handles or extremities. You may want to remove rings to avoid accidental abrasions to the surface. Whilst some people prefer to wear gloves, you may have a better grip with a pair of clean hands. 

For display, we recommend a closed cabinet with limited vibrations from passing feet. Objects should be spaced out to avoid falling against each other and rely only on conservation-safe mounts made of clear acrylic rather than metal. In storage, use acid-free materials rather than newspaper and consider having a custom crate made for added protection.

Above: three celadon dishes displayed on conservation-approved acrylic stands 

Repairing Broken Celadon  

Our conservation team works on a variety of materials, including celadon glazed ceramics. Most often, these items come to us in pieces and require careful attention for a safe and visually accurate repair. When you face a smashed item, always collect every piece so that it can be put back together without losing even the smallest part of its original structure. 

Due to conservation ethics, our team will focus on recent issues rather than age-related or historic damage. As highly-prized ceramics are often hundreds of years old, it is typical for them to have small areas of abrasion or visual disturbances that now form part of their antique character. This is similarly the case for patina or patterns of cracking within the glaze. Unless these areas are compromising the structure of the piece, they will be left as-is to preserve historic integrity and potential value. 

Above is a modern celadon ceramic by Edmund de Waal, restored in our studio with a clear finish. Celadon ware may have previously been repaired with a traditional kintsugi technique, areas of gold from this method should be left intact to form part of the objects history. It is also an option to have recent damage repaired in the same way, as our conservator can use gold rather than a standard finish if it is appropriate. 

If you have any questions related to the professional cleaning or repair of antique ceramics, please fill out the form below and our specialists can discuss your project further.  

As part of our service we offer a nationwide collection and delivery service as well as information on worldwide shipping to our studio. E-mail us via [email protected] or call 0207 112 7576 for more information.