​The National Palace Museum of Korea (ActingDirector: Joen Gi-Sun), an affiliate of the Cultural HeritageAdministration of Korea, has selected a buncheong bowl with inscription as the“Curator’s Choice from the Royal Treasures” for the month of August. In additionto being showcased in the Royal Court Life gallery on the second floor of themuseum, these bowls will be presented virtually in aYouTube broadcast staring August 4.

* National Palace Museum of KoreaYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/gogungmuseum

* Cultural Heritage AdministrationYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/chluvu

This inscribed buncheong bowl was produced in the fifteenth century andcharacterized by densely stamped rows of circles that are filled with whiteslip. Its exterior wall is inlaid with the name of its region of production (陜川, Hapcheon) and of the government officefor which it was intended (長興庫, Jangheunggo*).This bowl is therefore known as Buncheong Bowl with Stamped Design andInscription of “陜川”(Hapcheon) and “長興庫” (Jangheunggo). Ceramic vessels inlaidwith such inscriptions were widely produced at the time.

* The Jangheunggo was the government office that suppliedgoods for use in the royal court.

Rulers with different standards were used during the Joseon Dynastydepending on the subject being measured. Rectangular brass rulers werecalibrated with five different units of measurement – one side with yegicheok(used for manufacturing objects related to ancestral rites) and jucheok,(for scientific instruments) and the other three sides respectively with hwangjongcheok(for musical instruments), yeongjocheok (for land or construction), and pobaekcheok(for cloth).

In 1417, King Taejong (r. 1401 –1418) issued a decree that all ceramics waresthat are paid to the state as a tax must be inscribed with the name of theoffice of their intended use. This was a measure to combat losses through thetheft of court wares. Moreover, wares were inscribed with their productionlocation as a means to help manage and supervise their condition and quality.This bowl is notable in that it is inscribed with Jangheunggo, the majorgovernment office responsible for supplying goods to the royal court since thefounding of the Joseon Dynasty. In addition to this month’s Curator Choice,other examples of buncheong ware with inscriptions are on display in thegallery. Together, they provide an interesting glimpse into the production anddistribution of buncheong ware under the supervision of the government duringthe early Joseon Dynasty.

The museum may currently be accessedonly in accordance with the requirements in place to reduce the potential forthe spread of COVID-19. Those who are unable to visit the gallery in person canstill enjoy this month’s Curator’s Choicevirtually through a video with Korean and English subtitles available on themuseum’s website (gogung.go.kr).Our visitors can also see on the YouTube channels of the museum and of theCultural Heritage Administration of Korea.

Attachment: Images

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