Korean jade carving
Encyclopedia
The tradition of Korea
n jade carving dates back to neolithic
finds along the Namgang river basin in Gyeongju
. Jade rings and accessories 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. Korean jadework often includes buddhist motifs, cicada
s, and peanut-shaped good luck talismans on the small scale, as well as larger-scale architectural pieces.
who has been designated Important Intangible cultural heritage No. 100. Jang is known for his refinement, and largely self taught has recovered jadework for future generations.
Korea
Korea ) is an East Asian geographic region that is currently divided into two separate sovereign states — North Korea and South Korea. Located on the Korean Peninsula, Korea is bordered by the People's Republic of China to the northwest, Russia to the northeast, and is separated from Japan to the...
n jade carving dates back to neolithic
Neolithic
The Neolithic Age, Era, or Period, or New Stone Age, was a period in the development of human technology, beginning about 9500 BC in some parts of the Middle East, and later in other parts of the world. It is traditionally considered as the last part of the Stone Age...
finds along the Namgang river basin in Gyeongju
Gyeongju
Gyeongju is a coastal city in the far southeastern corner of North Gyeongsang province in South Korea. It is the second largest city by area in the province after Andong, covering with a population of 269,343 people according to the 2008 census. Gyeongju is southeast of Seoul, and east of the...
. Jade rings and accessories were worn by the higher classes of society, especially women, from the three kingdoms
Three Kingdoms
The Three Kingdoms period was a period in Chinese history, part of an era of disunity called the "Six Dynasties" following immediately the loss of de facto power of the Han Dynasty rulers. In a strict academic sense it refers to the period between the foundation of the state of Wei in 220 and the...
period and reached their peak in the Joseon
Joseon Dynasty
Joseon , was a Korean state founded by Taejo Yi Seong-gye that lasted for approximately five centuries. It was founded in the aftermath of the overthrow of the Goryeo at what is today the city of Kaesong. Early on, Korea was retitled and the capital was relocated to modern-day Seoul...
dynasty, the golden age of jadework. Korean jadework often includes buddhist motifs, cicada
Cicada
A cicada is an insect of the order Hemiptera, suborder Auchenorrhyncha , in the superfamily Cicadoidea, with large eyes wide apart on the head and usually transparent, well-veined wings. There are about 2,500 species of cicada around the world, and many of them remain unclassified...
s, and peanut-shaped good luck talismans on the small scale, as well as larger-scale architectural pieces.
Contemporary jade masters
Amongst the most famous is Jang Ju-wonJang Ju-won
Jang Ju-won is a modern day master of Korean jade carving or jadecraft, who has been designated Important Intangible cultural heritage No. 100. Jang is known for his refinement, and largely self taught has recovered jadework for future generations....
who has been designated Important Intangible cultural heritage No. 100. Jang is known for his refinement, and largely self taught has recovered jadework for future generations.