Unhyeongung Collection 2003 Director’s Message The collection of the Seoul Museum of History consists of items donated by individuals from Seoul and the other parts of the country, items obtained through regular acquisition activities, and the relics from Unhyeongung Palace, which are revealed to the public in this catalogue. Donated relics and acquisitions have been introduced to the public and related specialists through the standing exhibition, special exhibitions, and general exhibitions. The Unhyeongung relics, however, are being presnted for the first time. This catalogue, Unhyeongung Palace Relics I, is the second published by the Seoul Museum of History on relics in its collection following Korean Wood Furniture , which was published in 2002. Sharing information on its collection not only with related specialists but also members of the general public is one part of the museum’s efforts to make itself a relevant part of the lives of the citizens. Though Unhyeongung is diminished in comparison to its heyday, many major buildings still remain, including Norakdang, Noandang, and Irodang. The palace was the private residence of the Prince Regent Heungseon Daewongun and the place where his son Gojong was born and raised till the age of 12 when he ascended the throne. In total it served as the home for five generations of royal family members including Yi Jae-myeon, Yi Jun-yong, Yi Woo, and Yi Cheong, and thus has an important place in the modern history of Korea. The Seoul Metropolitan Government acquired the Unhyeongung relics in 1993 when it purchased the palace, and in 1998 it transferred management of the relics to the Seoul Museum of History. Since then the relics have been sorted and evaluated according to category, and this catalogue on Unhyeongung household relics is the result of such research activities. The relics featured include traditional furniture, interior fixtures, imported chairs, and travel goods, all bearing the traces of those who used them. There are few extant relics left from the period of enlightenment (late 19th to early 20th century; period of transition from old to modern Korea) and in this respect the household relics of Unhyeongung are important items in understanding the transition between traditional Korean style and modern Korean style. Finally, I would like to express my sincerest gratitude to Prof. Kim Samdaeja who took great care in selecting the items to be included in this catalogue and writing the annotation, and to the staff of collection Management Department who worked so hard in publishing this catalogue together. December 2003 Han Mun-cheol, Director, Seoul Museum of History Unhyeongung Collection 2 3 6 12 18 20 20 30 34 40 50 52 54 56 60 60 62 66 84 87 90 90 92 94 96 102 102 104 106 108 114 116 116 126 132 138 140 154 156 158 188 198 1. 6 7 2. 8 9 3. 10 11 Unhyeongung Palace Abstract Unhyeongung Palace, located at 114-10 Unni-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, was the private hard times. Park Chan-ju, wife of Yi Woo and mistress of the palace, had received a modern residence of the Prince Regent Heungseon Daewongun and the place where his son King Gojong education and was part of an association called Suseonhwe which was composed of women was born and raised till the age of 12. Right after Gojong ascended the throne, the palace was leaders in society. Through this group she received financial support from many acquaintances expanded and it served as the home for five generations of the royal family: Daewongun, Yi Jae- and as a show of gratitude for their support she gave away pieces of the palace furniture, as is myeon (Daewongun’s eldest son), Yi Jun-yong (Yi Jae-myeon’s eldest son), and Yi Woo (King surmised from the two opulent and finely made articles of lacquered furniture with inlaid Uichin’s son, adopted by Yi Jun-yong). In 1993 the palace was acquired by the Seoul mother-of-pearl that were donated to the National Folk Museum. According to the donor family, Metropolitan Government and was restored, but on a diminished scale. the lacquered stacked cabinet (nong) with inlaid mother-of-pearl and lacquered whatnot As to the origin of the name Unhyeongung, Gojong’s residence before ascending the throne (sabangtakja) with inlaid mother-of-pearl were each part of a pair belonging to Unhyeongung was located near Seoungwan (The government office in charge of matters related to astronomy, and had been given to a woman named Mrs. Wadaei. Afterwards, Mrs. Wadaei passed them geography etc.) which overlooked a valley named Unhyeon. Gojong’s home was originally on a down to her eldest daughter (Namgung Ok-gang) who, in memory of her mother who had similar scale to a commoner’s home, but the year after Gojong became king, the royal court always taken great care in caring for the two items, donated them to the museum. provided funds for the purchase of homes in the nearby area. Then numerous buildings were The household fixtures of Unhyeongung were diverse, ranging from the implements used by constructed within the walls which stretched for several miles, and four gates were constructed. A ordinary people and royal court implements from the late Joseon Dynasty, implements from direct route to Changdeokgung Palace was created and Unhyeongung thus gained the grand and Ching China, chairs from a university library in the United States, furniture from the period of imposing appearance of a palace. Court ladies were dispatched to Unhyeongung and many enlightenment, and travel bags, and they give us a glimpse at life at that time and the activities of fixtures from the palace were also supplied here. the Unhyeongung family. Daewongun lived in several places during his lifetime besides Unhyeongung. They include The wooden handicrafts are especially important as they reflect the turbulence of Korea and Asodang in Gongdeogni, which later became the site of his tomb, Seokpajeong in Buam-dong, Korean life at the end of the 19th century and in addition show the changes in wooden handicraft which has been designated Important Tangible Cultural Property No. 26 by the Seoul techniques. Metropolitan Government, and Godeungol, a retreat in Yangju-gun, where Daewongun lived in In the fever for antique collection that in the 1960s, many people collected wooden handicrafts isolation after being ousted from power. Though it is not possible to know the scale of these including furniture items, but they did not show great interest in relics from the period of buildings or the number of people who lived in them at the time, among the Unhyeongung relics enlightenment (late 19th to early 20th century; period of transition from old to modern Korea) so that were donated to the city of Seoul there are some with a brush and ink inscription reading there are very few items from this period existing either in private collections or in museums. In “Gongdeogni,” so it seems that the relics include items from all four residences. effect, it seems as if the link between traditional furniture and modern Korean furniture is However, the Unhyeongung relics donated to the city of Seoul are not all the household missing. Therefore, it is hoped that the enlightenment period pieces from Unhyeongung will fixtures from the four residences. After liberation of the country in 1945 Unhyeongung fell upon serve to fill in that gap. 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 1. Book cabinet with four horizontal sections 20 21 2. 3. Book cabinet made of paper Book case 22 23 4. 6. Book case Damaged book case 5. 7. Damaged book case Damaged book case 24 25 8. 9. 12. 13. Book case Book case Damaged book case Damaged book case 14. Book case 10. 11. Damaged book case Damaged book case 26 27 15. 16. Book case Book case 18. Book case 17. Damaged book case 28 29 19. 20. Open-sided cabinet / whatnots Open-sided cabinet / whatnots / 30 31 21. Open-sided cabinet / whatnots 32 33 22. Cabinet with three horizontal sections 34 35 23. Wardrobe 36 37 25. 24. Lacquered bedside cabinet with mother of pearl inlaid Wardrobe 38 39 27. Box 26. Red lacquered box 28. Box 40 41 29. Box 31. Box 30. 32. Box Box 42 43 33. 36. box Lacquered box 34. 37. Box made of zelkova Lacquered box 35. 38. Box Lacquered box 44 45 39. Red lacquered box 40. Portrait box 42. Portrait box 41. Portrait box 46 47 44. 45. Belt case Lacquered box 46. 47. 43. Box made of paper Box made of paper Seal case 48 49 48. 49. Bedstead 50 51 51. Bamboo blind 50. Bamboo blind 52. Bamboo blind 52 53 54. Tray for smoker’s requisites 53. 55. Yut board 54 55 57. Wooden step 58. Wooden step 56. Floor lamp 59. 56 57 60. Wooden smoothing roller 63. Stand 61. Cane 62. 64. Broom stick Stool table 58 59 65. Three tiered cupboard 60 61 66. Grain chest 67. Chest with a turnover door 62 63 70. Wicker basket covered with paper 68. Chest with a flap door 71. Wooden lid 72. Wooden lid 69. Chest with a flap door 64 65 73. 74. Table with legs in the shape of a tiger’s legs Table with legs in the shape of a tiger’s legs 75. Table with legs in the shape of a tiger’s legs 66 67 76. Table with legs in the shape of a tiger’s legs 78. Rotary banquet table 77. Red lacquered table 68 69 79. 80. Meal table manufactured in Naju Meal table manufactured in Tongyeong 70 71 82.