고려시대 수면(獸面) 장식 도자기 연구

Abstract

The conclusions presented in this paper are based on limited materials related to the areas in which the animal-face pottery was used. It is expected that more information on the places and purpose of their use will come to light if more of these artifacts are discovered in the future. Pottery objects of the Goryeo Period have been discovered on whose surface diverse forms of animal faces are attached or shallowly engraved. These animal faces display both differences from and similarities with the faces of dragons or lions expressed on artifacts made during the same period. Although they are generally referred to as animal or monster faces, meticulous analysis is required to determine whether such a name is really suitable or correct. This paper includes a detailed analysis of the animal faces expressed on pottery objects dating from the Goryeo Period that was conducted in order to as certain when and where they were made, the influence of China on their production, and where they were used. This paper presents the following conclusions: First, it appears that these pottery objects with animal faces were used for specific purposes, such as prunus vases, bottles, incense burners, pottery stands, jars and flat-sided jars, rather than for household purposes. Most of them are celadon wares, although there is some plain porcelain. Second, the faces portrayed on these pottery objects look quite similar to the dragon faces portrayed on metal objects, bronze mirrors, figurative celadon objects, and roof tiles of the same period. Third, the majority of these artifacts were found in Sadang-ri, Gangjin, while only a few were discovered in Yucheon-ri in Buan, which suggests that Sadang-ri was the principal production site. Most of the objects are celadon wares with inlaid patterns that were made between the late twelfth and late fourteenth century. Fourth, it appears that the production of these objects was influenced by earlier pottery made in the Southern Song and Yuan Dynasties of China, although they differ in type and form. As such, it is assumed that the craftsmen adopted the idea of animal faces from China, but created types and forms of their own. The earthenware and porcelain objects display differences in their composition, the expression of the animal faces, and the positioning of the faces on them. Finally, it is possible to estimate where they were used from the fact that they were unearthed atthe production sites of porcelain wares destined for the royal family, buildings associated with the royal family, residences of public officials, and Buddhist temples. It is thought that they might also have been used in rituals in view of the following factors: some of them have been unearthed from ritual sites; others are thought to have been buried as gifts to the gods; and some metal objects with animal faces are thought to have been used to contain food offered to the Buddha during Buddhist rites. The conclusions presented in this paper are based on limited materials related to the areas in which the animal-face pottery was used. It is expected that more information on the places and purpose of their use will come to light if more of these artifacts are discovered in the future.