The unofficial/official Korean Teaware Topic

[IPT]

Very true. It's so frustrating!

[Victoria]

Those are just simply lovely! Wow.

[IPT]

Thank you AdamMy and Victoria. I saw so many pieces I really wanted, but they were pretty darn expensive. None the less, I'm thrilled with what I have.

[Tead Off]

Seong-il's blog is a good place to start your Korean teaware journey. http://blog.naver.com/ttogarii.do
scroll down and click on the woman's face(his wife) in the lower right side of the page. Many photos will open up and start clicking to see the range of his work. His work is far from mainstream as he has pursued his own creative path.
Matttchasblog is another place to learn about Korean tea and teaware.

Here is a new acquisition from Seong-il:

seong-il shino vase a.jpg (37.55 KiB) Viewed 1556 times

seong-il shino vase b.jpg (27.94 KiB) Viewed 1556 times

[IPT]

Wow! That's Awesome!

[Victoria]

Very beautiful, wow!

[Tead Off]

There seems to be 2 distinct 'schools' of pottery in Korea. The more traditional approach using celadons, monochrome glazes, and, traditional shapes done over and over again with minor variations, and, the creative approach, drawing on the more rustic, organic, natural forms which also seeks out new expressions of form and glazing.

When you go to a pottery fair, the differences become clear. Then, when you see the 'masters' of the traditional approach, their superior glazing really stands out and they command very high prices. The best buys in Korea for me are the more creative artists who are not mainstream. Even geniuses like Lee Kyang Ho, my #1 Korean potter, don't get the kind of bucks these 'mainstream masters' garner. Although prices are generally higher than in the West, Korea remains an undiscovered gem for those who are interested in tea and teaware, plus, it is a beautiful country with warm people.

[IPT]

I was only in Korea for 7 hours during my layover and was really enchanted by the people and the culture. I will definately be going back for more.

[IPT]

Here is another cup I picked up while in Seoul. It's a bit larger than the others. It's 6cm x 6cm. I love the blue glaze. It reminds me of a bamboo grove.

[debunix]

Love the blue on the blue glaze.

[AdamMY]

So I had a little fun with the post office, but I've got it now, and it is great!
So These come from our Korean Teaware Artisan Seong-il, and what a joy he is to work with.

Two Cups:


Lid Rest ( I think)



Teapot:

[debunix]

Does that pot have a shino glaze inside?

Lovely, lovely set!

[Victoria]

Ohhh sweet!

[Victoria]

Here are my two latest Korean cups that I begged to buy from IPT:

Love them!

[karmaplace]

Found this set at one of the many traditional furniture stores around Ulsan (it's Korea's wealthiest city, after all). I fell in love and had to have it, and got it for 50,000 won (roughly $45).

I'm definitely a novice at figuring out if it's a high quality set, or even what the pieces are made of (the glazes, what kind of firing, ect). The fascinating part is that the pieces change color when water or tea is poured in or on them, and the color change slowly travels up all the little crackles.



I forgot to get a picture of the characters under the houhin. I'll have to take it later when the sun comes back up.

Also, if I budget accordingly, I may pick up some pieces in a few weeks at the Busan International Tea & Craft Fair. I wish it didn't occur right before my pay day. I'm going to break the bank.