Busan Museum's 'Baekja Daehog' Announced for Treasure Designation

Busan City Designated Tangible Cultural Property No. 113, Large White Porcelain Jar (Baekja Daeho) / Photo by Busan Museum

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Jonghyo] The Baekja Daehos (Large White Porcelain Jar), designated as Busan City Tangible Cultural Property No. 113 and held by the Busan Museum, was announced on the 3rd to be designated as a national cultural asset (Treasure).

The Baekja Daeho is an artifact donated in 1978 by the late Hyun Sumyeong, chairman of Dongyang Rubber Co., Ltd. It is a large white porcelain jar measuring 52.8 cm in height, 20.8 cm in mouth diameter, and 19.1 cm in base diameter. It is estimated to have been produced in the late 17th to early 18th century at a Gwan-yo (官窯, royal kiln). The shape is slightly asymmetrical left and right but natural and dignified, with a calm bluish-white glaze evenly applied, giving an overall elegant quality. It is regarded as an important example showing that the royal kiln white porcelain production technology had reached a mature stage at that time.

It is recognized as an important artifact in the history of Joseon Dynasty ceramics based on its rarity as a large-sized standing jar (立壺, jar form), its completeness with almost no damage or repairs, its well-proportioned form and refined glaze, and the excellent level of the firing (燔造, ceramic firing) technique. The announcement of its designation as a Treasure was reviewed and approved at the first meeting of the Movable Cultural Properties Subcommittee of the Cultural Heritage Administration in 2020.

Song Euijeong, director of the Busan Museum, said, “If the Treasure designation is confirmed in the future, we will put more effort into the preservation and management of this important artifact.”

The Baekja Daeho is currently on display in the Art Room of the Busan Museum’s Busan Hall, but it cannot be viewed at present due to the temporary closure of the Busan Museum to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in the local community.

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