National Museum of Korea
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 The exterior of the National Museum of Korea (West wing). | ||||||||
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The National Museum of Korea, the flagship museum of Korean history and art in South Korea, represents Korea culturally. Established in 1945, the museum opened in a new building in Yongsan Family Park in Seoul, October 2005. The museum's collection holds over 150,000 pieces with 11,000 on display at one time. The largest museum in Asia, and the sixth-largest museum in the world in terms of floor space, The National Museum covers 307,227 square feet.
Measures to protect the treasures inside the museum include engineering the building to withstand a magnitude 6.0 Richter Scale earthquake. The display cases for artifacts have been equipped with seismic-protective platforms to absorb shocks and trembles. A imported natural lighting system utilizes sunlight instead of artificial lights and an air purification system has been designed to protect the art and artifacts of the museum. The museum has been made with fire resistant materials.
To design the new building, the Korean government held an international competition open to architects around the world to submit a proposal for the new building. Architects from fifty nine countries submitted 854 entries . Chang-Il Kim of Junglim Architects & Engineers Ltd. submitted the winning design, inspired by the idea of a traditional Korean fortress. Oblong in shape, the building looks like a Korean fortress. 404 meters in length, and six-stories in height, indigenous plants and gardens surround the building.
History
Emperor Sunjong established Korea's first museum, the Imperial Household Museum, in 1908 C.E. in the waning days of the Joseon Dynasty. The collection of the Imperial Household Museum at Changgyeonggung and the later Japanese Government General Museum, during the Japanese rule of Korea, became the nucleus of the National Museum's collection established when South Korea gained independence in 1945 C.E. During the Korean War, the government safely moved the 20,000 of the museum's pieces to Busan to avoid destruction. When the artifacts came back to Seoul after the war, curators housed them in Gyeongbokgung and Deoksugung Palace. In 1972, the museum moved again to a new building on the grounds of the Gyeonbokgung palace. In 1986, the museum moved again in 1986 to the Jungangcheong, the former Japanese General Government Building, which housed the museum until demolition in 1995.
Layout of the Museum
The museum has three floors. Symbolically, the left of the museum represents the past while the right side of the museum represents the future.
The first floor contains the Archaeological Gallery containing approximately 4,500 artifacts from the Paleolithic to the Balhae era. Ten exhibition rooms comprise the gallery: the Paleolithic Room, Neolithic Room, Bronze Age & Early Iron Age Room, Proto Three Kingdoms Room, Goguryeo Room, Baekje Room, Gaya Room, Silla Room, Unified Silla Room, and Balhae Room. The Neolithic and Bronze Age Rooms present information about and artifacts from important prehistoric sites and settlements such the Bangudae Petroglyphs and Songgung-ni.
The Historical Gallery, containing recorded and historical documents such as Hangul inscriptions, maps, and other valuable documents resides on the first floor. The Historical Gallery has nine rooms: the Hangeul Room, Prints Room, Inscriptions Room, Documents Room, Map Room, King and His Reign Room, Socio-economic Life Room, Traditional Thoughts Room, and Foreign Relations Room.
The second floor contains the Fine Arts Gallery I and the Donation Gallery hosting the Painting Room, Calligraphy Room, Buddhist Paintings Room, and Wooden Craft Room. The Fine Arts Gallery I contains 890 pieces of art in four rooms that explore the traditional and religious arts of Korea in line and color.
The Donation Gallery holds 1000 pieces of art from a wide variety of cultures donated from the private collections of collectors. The Donation Gallery hosts the following rooms: the Lee Hong-kun Collection Room, Other Collections Room, Kim Chong-hak Collection Room, Yu Kang-yul Collection Room, Park Young-sook Collection Room, Choi Young-do Collection Room, Park Byong-rae Collection Room, Yoo Chang-jong Collection Room, Kaneko Kazushige Collection Room, Hachiuma Tadasu Collection Room, and Luchi Isao Collection Room.
The third floor houses the Fine Arts Gallery II, containing 630 pieces that represent Korean Buddhist sculpture and craftwork. Highlights of the gallery include Goryeo Celadon wares and National Treasure of Korea No. 83, the world-renowned Bangasayusang (or meditating Maiterya). The gallery has five rooms: Metal Arts Room, Celadon Room, Buncheong Ware Room, White Porcelain Room, and Buddhist Sculpture Room.
Finally, also on the third floor, the Asian Arts Gallery contains 970 pieces exploring the similarities and divergences of Asian Art as well as the confluence of Asian and Western art via the Silk Road. Six rooms make up the gallery: Indonesian Art Room, Central Asian Art Room, Chinese Art Room, Relics from Sinan Seabed Room, Nangnang Remains Room, and Japanese Art Room.
The grounds of the museum contain parks, gardens of indigenous plants, waterfalls and pools, a collection of pagodas and other outdoor Korean art.
National Treasures
Incense Burner Celadon with Lion-shaped Cover: National Treasure No. 60
- Goryeo, 12th century
H 21.1cm National Treasure No. 60
- Even though incense burners are mainly made of metal, but when the celadon technique became advanced, some celadon incense burner were produced. At first celadon incense burners were imitated after bronze ones, but later various decorations and designs became to be added thanks to flexibility of soil. Most of incense burners with lids were decorated with animals. They were a lion, a mandarin duck, and a duck in a real life and also imaginary animals such as a kylin and an ichthyosaur.
Since this incense burner has a lion-shaped cover, it is believed to have been produced as one for a Buddhist altar. A lion as a protector of Buddhism used to appear in stone pagodas, stone lanterns, and other Buddhist ceremonial instruments. Especially, this incense burner has been given much attention because it is the only source for the lion-shaped incense burner mentioned in Xu Jing 『Xuanhe Fengshi Gaoli Tujing』. According to Xu Jing, "this lion-shaped incense burner has an animal crouching above with lotus support it. Among so many wonderful things, this is most magnificent."
Pensive Bodhisattva: National Treasure No. 78
- This is another masterpiece of the pensive type. This Buddhist statue wears a tall crown with sun and moon decoration. This type of a crown was originated from Sassanian Persia.
In the sense that it has enigmatic smile, natural pose, harmonious body parts, rhythmical expression of clothing and a waistband, this pensive Bodhisattva exhibits a quite unique sculpture style different from the National Treasure No. 83 pensive Bodhisattva. Three Kingdoms period, Late 6th century Gilt bronze H 83.2cm
Amitābha Buddha: National Treasure No. 79 from the Pagoda at the Monastic Site of Hwangboksa (Buddha)
- From National Museum: These images were found in a reliquary installed inside the Three-story Pagoda at the Monastic Site of Hwangboksa in Guhwang-dong, Gyeongju in 1942. They have attracted much attention because they are made of almost pure gold. An inscription on the reliquary tells that a golden standing Buddha was placed in the pagoda when the pagoda was erected in the first year(692) of King Hyoso and a golden seated Amitābha Buddha was placed in it in 706.
Even though a standing Buddha was created in the early Unified Silla, it still shows some resonances of Buddha statues from Three Kingdoms period. The fact that this statue is only 1㎜ thick, exhibits excellent casting technique at that time. This seated Amitābha Buddha is more realistic than the standing one. In 10 years a new sculpting technique was evolved. end.
Buddha: National Treasure No. 80 from the Pagoda at the Monastic Site of Hwangboksa (Buddha)
- These images were found in a reliquary installed inside the Three-story Pagoda at the Monastic Site of Hwangboksa in Guhwang-dong, Gyeongju in 1942. They have attracted much attention because they are made of almost pure gold. An inscription on the reliquary tells that a golden standing Buddha was placed in the pagoda when the pagoda was erected in the first year(692) of King Hyoso and a golden seated Amitābha Buddha was placed in it in 706.
Even though a standing Buddha was created in the early Unified Silla, it still shows some resonances of Buddha statues from Three Kingdoms period. The fact that this statue is only 1㎜ thick, exhibits excellent casting technique at that time. This seated Amitābha Buddha is more realistic than the standing one. In 10 years a new sculpting technique was evolved.
Pensive Bodhisattva: National Treasure No. 83
- This statue is described to put one leg over the other lap while lost in thought with fingers onto the cheeks. Statues in such a pose were derived from Buddha's posture of contemplating on human being's life. This statue is depicted to put a flat crown called 'Three Mountain Crown' or 'Lotus Crown.' Its torso is naked, but wearing a simple necklace. This statue has remarkable similarities with the wooden pensive bodhisattva at the Koryuji temple that is believed to have been founded by a Silla monk in Kyoto, Japan. In that sense, this statue can be presumed to have been created in Silla. However, since it has a well-balanced shape and exhibits elegant and refined craftsmanship, it is also considered as one from Baekje period.
Three Kingdoms period, Early 7th century H 93.5cm National Treasure No. 83
Gyeongcheonsa Pagoda National Treasure No. 86
- Gyeongcheonsa Pagoda (경천사십층석탑) is National Treasure of Korea No. 86. It was designated by the South Korean government on December 20, 1962. An inscription on the first story of the pagoda states that it was erected in the fourth year of King Chungmok in 1348. The pagoda was first placed at the now-lost Gyeongcheonsa Temple which sat at the foot of Mt. Buso in Gwangdeok-myeon, Gaepung-gun, Gyeonggi-do Province. During the Japanese occupation of Korea, the pagoda was taken to Japan. In 1960, the pagoda was returned and placed on the grounds of Gyeongbokgung Palace. Today, the pagoda stands in one of the main halls of the National Museum of Korea. The pagoda stands 13 meters in height and is ten stories tall. However, because of the three-tiered foundation, it is a common mistake to believe that the pagoda has thirteen stories. Unlike most Goryeo-era pagodas, this pagoda is made from marble. The preferred material of Korean sculptors was generally granite. The later Joseon-era Wongaksa Pagoda is stylistically very similar and is believed to have been heavily influenced by the Gyeongcheonsa Pagoda. The pagoda has a three-tiered foundation which projects in four directions like a cross. The first three stories of the pagoda share the same shape as the foundation. Each panel of this tiered foundation is carved with Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, flowers, and arabesque patterns. The remaining stories are square in shape and share intricate detailing which tries to create the illusion that the marble pagoda is made from wood. Each remaining story has railings, a hip-and-gabled roof, eaves, and carvings made to suggest that each roof is tiled. The pagoda is valuable because it preserves the Goryeo-era wooden architectural style that has been mostly lost. According to the South Korean Cultural Heritage Administration, the pagoda is one of the finest examples of Korean stone work and is of high artistic value.
Ritual Ewer(Kundika): National Treasure No. 92
- Goryeo, 12th century
H 37.5cm
- A ritual ewer derived from a water bottle used by Brahmans and later by Buddhist monks in ancient India. A number of examples in celadon or bronze originating from the Goryeo period have survived to the present day. The hue of rusted bronze creates a sense of tranquil harmony with the scene of a rainy shore. The intricate details of the inlaid silver and the elegant form of this ewer show sophisticated, Korean traditional metal work from that time.
Lobed Bottle Celadon reportedly from King Injong's Tomb: National Treasure No. 94
- Goryeo, 12th century
H 22.7cm National Treasure No. 94
- This Celadon was reportedly handed down from King Injong's tomb of Goryeo period(1122-1146). It is a very crucial source of study on celadon of 12th century Goryeo period since it represents the best quality of color and shape in Goryeo celadon. Derived from a liquor bottle of a Chinese bronze ware, it was also produced in ceramic in the Northern Song Dynasty and was transmitted to Korea. While a Chinese bottle has a huge mouth and a voluptuous body, this bottle has a perfect balance in shape and shows beauty of glaze.
Incense Burner Celadon with Openwork Design: National Treasure No. 95
- Goryeo, 12th century
H 15.3cm National Treasure No. 95
- This Incense burner not only represents the best quality of Goryeo celadon but also is loved internationally. It comprises with a cover where incense goes out, a burner, and a support.
In the center of the cover there is a hole that allows incense go out. Above it, there is a curved knob with seven treasure design incised, so that incense can be spread wide. Composed of various shapes according to function and with various techniques such as incising, relief, inlaying and so on, this incense burner is a perfect beautiful work of art.
Maebyeong, Vase Celadon with Incised Lotus Scroll Design: National Treasure No. 97
- Goryeo, 12th century
H 43.9cm National Treasure No. 97
- The way that its line flows from its curved shoulder through its waist to its base represents well characteristic beauty of curves of Goryeo celadon. On the front of the body soft lotus veins are sumptuously incised. The design of veins that circle lotus is in harmony with the shape of Maebyeong.
The surface is decorated in intaglio that is a process of engraving designs into the surface with a burin. The early design was only simple plant, but influenced by Chinese celadon, it took more various subjects, such as veins, lotus, animals, nature, imaginary animals and so on.
Jar Celadon with Inlaid Peony Design:
- Goryeo, 12th century
H 19.8cm National Treasure No. 98
- Since designs of inlaid celadon are mostly thin lines, it is quite rare that such broad surfaces have been inlaid very delicately like this celadon. Its shape is quite influenced by its contemporary bronze wares. Its elegant shape and its detailed peony design are in harmony.
Bottle Celadon with Willow Design in Underglaze Iron-brown: National Treasure No. 113
- Goryeo, 12th century
H 31.4cm National Treasure No. 113
- This bottle has a very modern feeling thanks to its bold decorative design and composition. Compared with designs of other underglazed iron-brown celadon, its design is quite simple, but the way willow is described is elegant. The willow depicted on the other side has its root and stump expressed so boldly that they show the artist's magnificent skill. The shape of this bottle is quite unique among other celadon.
From the fact that a poem about liquor is incised in a similar shaped bottle in The Museum of Oriental Ceramics, Osaka, it must have been a liquor bottle.
Gourd-Shaped Pitcher Celadon with Inlaid Peony Scroll Design: National Treasures No. 116
- Goryeo, 12th century
H 34.7cm National Treasures No. 116
- Peony scroll design is depicted in inverse inlaying technique. The inverse inlaying technique means to inlay the outside of the design. It is believed that this technique has been used to avoid crowdedness of the surface in the case of decorating the whole surface of celadon with patterns
Buddha with Inscription of the Seventh Year of Yeonga: National Treasure No. 119
- This Buddha statue is the oldest among ones that have the year of production inscribed.
It is one of thousand Buddhist statues distributed by Dongsa in Pyeongyang in 539 in Goguryeo period. Since it was excavated in Uiryeong, Gyeongsangnam-do, it became a concrete source that proved that the excavation site and the production site could be different. Its skirt like a fin and slender face exhibit the influence of Chinese Buddhist statues. Its vague smile, a massive sacerdotal robe, and a halo mark characteristic of Buddhist statue from Goguryeo period.
- Goguryeo, 539
H 16.2cm National Treasure No. 119
Buddhist Bell From Cheonheung-sa Temple: National Treasure No. 280
- Buddhist bell of Cheonheungsa is the most beautiful bell in Goryeo period. It is a good example of Buddhist bells from Goryeo period in that it not only follows the style of Unified Silla but also gives several changes. This bell comes with an inscription that tells when and where it was made. The elegantly curved form, the hook in the shape of a powerful dragon and images of flying angels and lotus flowers all make this bell a unique work of art.
- Goryeo, 1010
H 174.2cm National Treasure No. 280
External links
Past Exhibit: Treasures from Pyongyang Exhibit
Ninety significant cultural artifacts displayed at the National Museum of Korea loaned by the Korean Central History Museum in Pyongyang until August 16, 2006, then moved to the Taegu National Museum from August 28 to October 26, 2006.[1] North and South curators designed the exhibit to engender other cultural property exchanges between the two Koreas. Noteworthy among the collection: a bird bone flute from 2000 B.C.E., the oldest extant musical instrument from Korea. [2]. A bronze statue of Wang Geon, the first king of the Goryeo Dynasty tops the list for important items exhibted. Standing 138.3 centimeter in height, archeologist excavated the statue in 1992 at his mausoleum in Kaesong. believed originally dressed in royal clothes, the statue's clothing has disappeared. North Korea loaned famous paintings from the Joseon Dynasty for the exhibit.
Gallery
National Treasure No.83 is one of the most popular works at the museum and is the most highly insured.
The main lobby of the National Museum of Korea.
Joseon Dynasty vase.
A replica of the Gilt-bronze Incense Burner of Baekje is on display at the museum
Pottery from the Korean Neolithic at the National Museum of Korea.
Duck-shaped pottery at the National Museum of Korea.
A display of pottery at the National Museum of Korea
Buddha on Display at the National Museum
Historical Map in National Museum
Asian Statues in National Museum
Farming Tools Display
See also
- List of Korea-related topics
- List of museums
- Wongaksa Pagoda
- National treasures of South Korea
- National treasures of North Korea
ReferencesISBN links support NWE through referral fees
http://news.sawf.org/Travel/3572.aspx
http://www.korea-is-one.org/article.php3?id_article=2415
External links
- National Museum of Korea. Retrieved July 2, 2007.
- Life in Korea, Korea Travel Guide. Retrieved July 2, 2007.
- UIA, The National Museum of Korea in Seoul. Retrieved July 2, 2007.
- Korean National Heritage Online, National Museum of Korea. Retrieved July 2, 2007.
- Yonhap News (keep hitting reload until the article shows).
- Korea Times (Images of some of the items from North Korea).
- Archaeology News, National Museum Poised to Open in New Home. Retrieved July 2, 2007.
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