Small celadon teacup by Byungseok Shin

Small Korean celadon tea cup, with rounded curves and a very soft blue-green hue. Its simple shape gives pride of place to the color of the glaze, while inside, a delicate relief pattern of pear blossoms, punctuated with small red touches, takes shape. In Korea, this type of small cup intended for tea tasting is called a chatjan. Its size allows for serving tea in small quantities and replenishing infusions throughout the tasting.

The ceramicist
Trained in the ceramics department of Kyung Hee University, Byungseok Shin began his career in Gangjin, one of the major historical centers of Korean celadon. Winner of the Grand Prix at the Korea National Celadon Competition in 2009, he then continued his training in Jingdezhen, China, where he studied ceramics for several years. Now based in Yeongam, in southwestern Korea, he develops work in his Arariyo studio that draws on the great traditions of Korean ceramics while seeking out contemporary forms and decorations.

Technique and decoration
These cups are examples of cheongbaekja, a blue-and-white porcelain obtained by applying a celadon glaze over a white porcelain body. Byungseok Shin specialized in this technique after working with celadon in Gangjin: the whiteness of the clay gives the glaze a particular luminosity and transparency, with that very pale blue-green shade characteristic of his work. The motif visible on the inside is his signature: a stylized pear blossom, created through very shallow, multi-level relief work. The glaze distributes itself differently within these slight hollows and raised areas, gradually revealing the petals through subtle gradients of color. The ceramicist spent several years perfecting this pattern. The small red punctuations provide a discreet contrast to the very soft blue of the glaze.

Celadon occupies a major place in the history of Korean ceramics. Brought to an exceptional degree of refinement under the Goryeo dynasty (918-1392), it became one of the most iconic expressions of Korean art, notably thanks to its translucent glazes with jade nuances and the development of sanggam, an inlay technique that became a specialty of Goryeo potters. Byungseok Shin's work is part of this heritage while adapting it to contemporary tableware.

Place of manufacture
South Korea (Yeongam)

Dimensions
Diameter 6.4 cm - Height 4 cm

Weight
62 g

Materials
Porcelain

Period
Contemporary

Care instructions
After use, empty the water and allow to air dry. Avoid thermal shock and abrasive products. Wipe with a soft cloth. Not suitable for dishwashers, ovens, or microwaves.

As each piece is created by hand, slight variations in shape, shade, or texture may occur compared to the photos, testifying to the unique character of this artisanal work.