What are other ancient Gangjin works like? Below are a grouping of wine ewers and tea vessels. Notice that each of the forms are taken from nature. Although the spouts were formed in a similar manner using Korea’s ancient stick forming methods they are often modified to suit the potter. The handles are not pulled as we do in the West but are also often stick formed. However, the twisted handle made with two coils seen in the top photo on the right below was also often used. That vessel’s lid is missing. The bottom left wine ewer is sitting in a warming bowl. Some Korean wines of that period were heated much like Japanese saki. However, during much of the Goryeo Dynasty (912-1392), tea was the drink of choice. It is difficult to determine which ewer is for tea and which is for wine. Today Korea is experiencing a remarkable revival in the preparation and use of tea.
Each vessel is decorated. The two right hand vessels below (B and C) are simply decorated enhancing the gourd “feel” of the work. The top left piece (A) is decorated in relief by gently carving the background away using a “gubsuay kal” or left-bent knife. The bottom left piece (D) is decorated with carved inlay or the “sanggam” or “sang hwa mun” process. The tool used for this is a “cho gak kal” or carving knife. Thick white slip is inlaid into the carved patterns in leather hard clay. When the white ship dries, the excess is scrapped away revealing the carved lines. A gubsuay kal is used to remove the excess slip. Then the design, intended to be black, is carved and inlayed in the same manner. There are at least eight different decorating processes used in the production of chungja or celadon. Someday you may find them on one of our web pages or blogs. Ask about one of our workshops on Korean ceramic processes where these decorating processes and forming processes are taught.
The body of these vessels were formed on a wheel using a Korean method referred to as “. . . ‘throwing’ with the eye of the clay”.
Korean potters use specific forming strategies. The progression of these ‘thrown’ from the mound forms range from small cups to enormous vases and bowls. Each process is based on a natural approach to clay and the progress in wheel forming skill is very natural as forms increase in size.
Some years ago, we decided to teach these natural ‘throwing’ methods to our college students. When we taught these strategies at the university, our students learned more quickly. Most often the new students were centering within minutes and throwing small things the first session. Many of those students went on to teach art at high schools. When the Korean strategies were taught to high school students, they learned to ‘throw’ quickly as well. We have heard several stories about the high school students going on to universities and using these methods in their college classes. In some cases the freshmen students were throwing with more control than their senior counterparts. In many cases the university professors were amazed by their throwing skills.
Morning Earth continues to schedule workshops on Korean hand-forming, decorating and throwing strategies. Contact Morning Earth Workshops for more information on our workshops.
