Buncheong
Category=AGA
Chaekgeori
Confucianism
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eq_bestseller
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eq_isMigrated=2
eq_nobargain
eq_non-fiction
forthcoming
Goryeo
Hangeul
Joseon
Lee Kun-Hee
Three Kingdoms
Unified Silla
Product details
- ISBN 9780714137032
- Dimensions: 220 x 250mm
- Publication Date: 01 Oct 2026
- Publisher: British Museum Press
- Publication City/Country: GB
- Product Form: Hardback
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A history of Korean art and culture told through an extraordinary collection of objects from the Lee Kun-Hee Collection.
For over 2000 years Korea has had a unique history and vibrant culture, frequently absorbing and adapting ideas from elsewhere to produce art and crafts that are distinctively Korean. Across the centuries, down to the present day, artists and craftspeople have taken inspiration from the past, re-creating and reinterpreting forms and meanings in innovative ways. Showcasing an exceptional collection of objects drawn primarily from the collection of the late Samsung Chair, Lee Kun-Hee, this new book presents Korean culture from its ancient roots through to the present day. Through four key periods – Three Kingdoms/Unified Silla (300 BCE–935 CE), Goryeo (918–1392), Joseon (1392–1897), and modern/contemporary – the authors explore each era’s differences in religion, economy and relations with neighbouring countries, factors that shaped artistic traditions and cultural values.
From early Iron Age ritual bells, through to inlaid lacquerware, landscape paintings, portraits, sculpture, pottery and multimedia contemporary art, this beautifully illustrated new book celebrates the unique history, art and culture of Korea.
For over 2000 years Korea has had a unique history and vibrant culture, frequently absorbing and adapting ideas from elsewhere to produce art and crafts that are distinctively Korean. Across the centuries, down to the present day, artists and craftspeople have taken inspiration from the past, re-creating and reinterpreting forms and meanings in innovative ways. Showcasing an exceptional collection of objects drawn primarily from the collection of the late Samsung Chair, Lee Kun-Hee, this new book presents Korean culture from its ancient roots through to the present day. Through four key periods – Three Kingdoms/Unified Silla (300 BCE–935 CE), Goryeo (918–1392), Joseon (1392–1897), and modern/contemporary – the authors explore each era’s differences in religion, economy and relations with neighbouring countries, factors that shaped artistic traditions and cultural values.
From early Iron Age ritual bells, through to inlaid lacquerware, landscape paintings, portraits, sculpture, pottery and multimedia contemporary art, this beautifully illustrated new book celebrates the unique history, art and culture of Korea.
Editor Sang-ah Kim is Project Curator, Korean Collection in the Asia Department at the British Museum and Curator of the exhibition Korea at the British Museum in autumn 2026.
Contributors:
Hyung-wook Huh is Director of the Education Division at the National Museum of Korea
Myounghee Jeong is Head of the Future Strategy Division at the National Museum of Korea
Kyung-nam Kang is Curator at the National Museum of Korea
Kim Youngna is Professor Emerita in the Department of Archaeology and Art History at Seoul National University and former Director of the National Museum of Korea
Soyeon Shin is Curator at the National Museum of Korea
Saerom Yu is Curator at the National Museum of Korea
Charlotte Horlyck is Professor in the History of Korean Art, Department of History and Archaeology at SOAS, University of London
Anders Karlsson is Senior Lecturer in Korean, School of Languages, Culture and Linguistics at SOAS, University of London
Sangdeok Yoon is Director of the Gyeongju National Museum
Sangmi Lee is Curator at the Gyeongju National Museum
Sukyung Lee is Director of the Chuncheon National Museum
Soo-ran Yoo is Curator at the Chuncheon National Museum
Insoo Cho is Professor in the Department of Art Theory at the Korea National University of the Arts
Young-min Ko is Curator at the Daegu National Museum
Sooyon Lee is Curator at the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea
Dayun Oh is Curator at the Jeonju National Museum
J.P. Park is June and Simon Li Professor in the History of Art, University of Oxford
Diego Tamburini is Scientist: Polymeric and Modern Organic Materials at the British Museum
Sem Vermeersch is Professor in Religious Studies and Director of Centre for Religious Studies at Seoul National University
Contributors:
Hyung-wook Huh is Director of the Education Division at the National Museum of Korea
Myounghee Jeong is Head of the Future Strategy Division at the National Museum of Korea
Kyung-nam Kang is Curator at the National Museum of Korea
Kim Youngna is Professor Emerita in the Department of Archaeology and Art History at Seoul National University and former Director of the National Museum of Korea
Soyeon Shin is Curator at the National Museum of Korea
Saerom Yu is Curator at the National Museum of Korea
Charlotte Horlyck is Professor in the History of Korean Art, Department of History and Archaeology at SOAS, University of London
Anders Karlsson is Senior Lecturer in Korean, School of Languages, Culture and Linguistics at SOAS, University of London
Sangdeok Yoon is Director of the Gyeongju National Museum
Sangmi Lee is Curator at the Gyeongju National Museum
Sukyung Lee is Director of the Chuncheon National Museum
Soo-ran Yoo is Curator at the Chuncheon National Museum
Insoo Cho is Professor in the Department of Art Theory at the Korea National University of the Arts
Young-min Ko is Curator at the Daegu National Museum
Sooyon Lee is Curator at the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea
Dayun Oh is Curator at the Jeonju National Museum
J.P. Park is June and Simon Li Professor in the History of Art, University of Oxford
Diego Tamburini is Scientist: Polymeric and Modern Organic Materials at the British Museum
Sem Vermeersch is Professor in Religious Studies and Director of Centre for Religious Studies at Seoul National University
