고려 말~조선 초 백자의 위상(位相)변화와 배경 = The Status of White Porcelain from the Late Goryeo to the Early Joseon period: Changes and Background

다국어 초록 (Multilingual Abstract)

This paper describes the increase in consumption of white porcelain based on the elevation of its status from the late Goryeo to the early Joseon period. Celadon was the most important type of porcelain from the late Goryeo to early Joseon era. In comparison, white porcelain, which registered lower qualities than celadon, failed to draw consumers' attention. In the 1410s and 1420s, celadon became increasingly more decorated, sometimes with patterns that covered the ware’s entire surface. White porcelain was usually produced in small volumes in areas storing white clay (白土). Moreover, its quality had not improved from the late Goryeo period. In the early Joseon era, the kingdom continuously strived to secure gold and silver to give as tributes (進貢) to the Ming Empire. To exempt itself from having to give away gold and silver (免貢), the Joseon kingdom stressed that these metals were not produced in Joseon. Fortunately, gold and silver were delisted, after which King Sejong had to reassure (宣傳) the Ming diplomats that his country was no longer consuming the material, even though the Joseon court continued their usage. At the same time, there was keen awareness of the need to find substitutes (代替財) for gold and silver ware as they were the topmost in the contemporary hierarchy (位階) of precious metals. Hence, a substitute had to be made of material of equal status as gold and silver or immediately below them. The King Sejong era saw an increase in imports of Chinese white porcelain, including the blue and white porcelain given by the Xuande Emperor (宣德帝) of Ming. Given the relationship between the Joseon and Ming dynasties, the gifts (頒賜品) from the Xuande Emperor were likely to symbolize the king's authority. To King Sejong, the gifts from the Xuande Emperor not only symbolized his authority but also served as a practical means to profit from the diplomatic relationship with Ming. Thus King Sejong chose white porcelain as royal ware (御器). King Sejong’s choice of white porcelain as royal ware changed the ruling class's perception of it, boosting its status. Demand for white porcelain increased as people wanted ware made of the same material used by the monarch. In line with these developments, hard white porcelain (硬質白磁) began to be produced in the 1430s, and eventually white porcelain of excellent quality was produced in the 1440s.