‘處’명백자를 통해 본 조선 전기 내수사(內需司)의 왕실용 백자제작

Abstract

The research on the Joseon ceramic history has hitherto been dealt with focusing on the operation of the Royal kiln and the porcelain production used in Royal families. However it is not true that only Saongwon(司饔院) manufactured porcelain needed in the nation. 『Gyeongguk daejeon(經國大典)』 recorded 6 pottery artisans who belonged to Naesusa(內需司). Not only Saongwon but also Naesusa was involved in the direct production of porcelain, among the government offices in the early Joseon dynasty. However, since there was no specific record or evidence except Gyeongguk daejeon, detailed approach on the porcelain production in Naesusa has not been taken. However, white porcelain with inscription of ‘Cheo(處)’ was excavated assumed to have been related with the porcelain production in Naesusa, it became possible to approach and interpret, in a new way, the operation of Royal kiln and the porcelain production used in Royal families in early Joseon dynasty. Since Naesusa produced the porcelain related with the use of property by the lord paramount, unlike Saongwon, inscription was used which distinguished it from other porcelain made in Saongwon. The inscriptions, remaining in the porcelain manufactured under the leadership of Saongwon in early Joseon dynasty, were classified into letters in Thousand-Character Classic like 'Cheon-Ji-Hyeon-Hwang(天地玄黃)’, and thereby used diversely in royal court and government offices in capital city. In contrast to this, the porcelain made in Naesusa had the name of department inscribed, meaning the place it was used by royal family. The porcelain manufactured in Naesusa had the feature of particular inscriptions which helped to distinguish it from other official porcelain used in royal court. The differences in the inscriptions might have been a method to draw a line between a set of tableware used according to the hierarchy of Neo-Confucianism, as well as in the distinction of articles in official and private use.