2,000 Years of Korean Ceramics: What, When and Why
The Annual Shang Shan Tang Lecture
Speaker: Sang-ah Kim – Curator: Korean Collection, British Museum
Few art forms trace the arc of Korean history as vividly as ceramics. This talk explores two millennia of Korean ceramic production, from the early high-fired stoneware of the Three Kingdoms period to the refined porcelains of the Joseon dynasty, drawing on objects featured in ‘Korea: 2,000 Years of Creativity’ at the British Museum.
The exhibition brings together works from the Lee Kun-Hee Collection, one of the most significant collections of Korean art, donated to Korea’s national museums in 2021 by the family of the late Samsung Chairman Lee Kun-Hee (1942–2020). This unprecedented national donation of more than 23,000 works has enabled the collection to be shared more widely with audiences, and this exhibition marks its first showing in Europe, presented in partnership with the National Museum of Korea and the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea.
From ritual vessels and burial goods to wares made for connoisseurship and everyday use, this talk situates Korean ceramics within their broader historical, religious, and social contexts, tracing how changing techniques and forms reflected the shifting beliefs and priorities of each era.
Members do not need to book to attend this lecture.
5:30 pm – Society of Antiquaries opens for members’ refreshments
6:15 pm – Lecture begins
This lecture is sponsored by Shang Shan Tang
Venue Accessibility Information
The Society of Antiquaries welcomes wheelchairs and mobility vehicles however since the main entrance consists of steps they will provide a ramp. Essential companions are also welcome and Hearing Loops are built into the Lecture Room AV system. There are no designated disabled toilets but toilets are located on the ground floor.
For more information visit Accessibility.
For all other accessibility enquires contact
Image: Faceted bottle with bamboo design, early 18th century, porcelain with underglaze cobalt blue. National Museum of Korea. National Treasure.
Speaker
- Sang-ah KimCurator: Korean Collection, British Museum
Sang-ah Kim is the British Museum’s curator of the Korea Collections, a position she has held since 2021. She is the lead curator of Korea: 2,000 Years of Creativity, an exhibition opening at the Museum in autumn 2026, and a contributor to and editor of the accompanying publication of the same name, published by British Museum Press.
