• MISULJARYO - National Museum of Korea Art Journal
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• v.97
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• pp.69-86
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• 2020

Haenghaeng Ilgi (Diary of a Royal Trip) (koo 7152; hereafter Ilgi) in the collection of the National Museum of Korea provides an account of Crown Prince Sado's incognito royal visit to Pyeongyang in the fourth month of 1761. Ilgi was written by Ham Daeil, a low-ranking military officer in Pyeongyang. Ham was singled out for praise by Crown Prince Sado (1735-1762) and served the prince from the seventh day of the fourth month to the first day of the fifth month. Ilgi documented the deeds of Crown Prince Sado during this period and provides detailed information on his incognito visit to Pyeongyang, which was not officially recorded. Ilgi shows characteristics differentiating it from many other diaries. For example, the quality of the paper, neat handwriting, and well-organized sentences differ from those of common diaries. These distinctions indicate that Ilgi is closer to an official document than a private diary written by an individual. Since Ilgi records Crown Prince Sado's incognito visit to Pyeongyang, is only vaguely known otherwise, its contents need to be examined in terms of whether or not they are fully factual. As the first step in such verification, It is traced that Ham Daeil's family history which turned out to match what is written in Ilgi. Moreover, Ilgi mentions about Prince Crown Sado's writing a piece of calligraphy, and a matching piece of calligraphy written by Sado still survives today. It can be confirmed that the contents of Ilgi are factual in at least these regards. However, although Crown Prince Sado was known to have met people from various social classes during his visit to Pyeongyang, Ilgi focuses only on Crown Prince Sado and Ham Daeil. This suggests the possibility that the surviving version of Ilgi may be an edited condensation based on original texts containing more complete information on Crown Prince Sado's visit. Ilgi is presumed to have been produced during the generation of Ham Jeonghui, a son of Ham Daeil. The dates of birth and death of Ham Daeil fall during the reign of King Yeongjo. It is unlikely that any records regarding Crown Prince Sado would have been published while King Yeongjo, who was hostile to Sado, ruled the country. Ilgi also provides strong evidence that Ham Jeonghui presented the subsequent king, King Jeongjo, with the calligraphy by Crown Prince Sado and the diary. It is unclear if the book Ham Jeonghui presented him was the same as the extant version of Ilgi. Nonetheless, considering the situation at the time when King Jeongjo was pursuing several projects to honor his father Sado, it is highly probable that Ilgi was produced during the reign of King Jeongjo. The periods of presenting the calligraphy and the diary respectively overlapped with the production of Hyeollyungwon, the royal tomb of Crown Prince Sado, and Sado's sixtieth birthday. Therefore, is it considered reasonable that Ham Jeonghui produced Ilgi to promote his own social ambitions.

• Conservation Science in Museum
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• v.15
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• pp.38-55
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• 2014

Three costumes excavated from the tomb of Yu Gyeongjong ^1565-1623, which are now own at Buyeo National Museum, underwent conservation treatment. As a result of this treatment, the costume types were correctly identified and their original forms were restored. Through the restoration process, various key features were discovered, enabling the costume types to be correctly identified as a dallyeong ^{Official's Uniform with Round Collar}, jingnyeong ^{Coat with Straight Collar}, and changui ^{Coat with Slits in the Rear and Sides}. One of the newly discovered key features was a new variety of pattern that differed from the prevalent cloud pattern of the time. Also, on the dallyeong, it was found that the ground of the hyungbae ^{Rank Badge}, was made from yeongeumsa ^{Wrapped Gold Thread}. These costumes are significant artifacts showing trends, patterns, forms, and other key characteristics of clothing from the late sixteenth to the early seventeenth century.

• Conservation Science in Museum
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• v.19
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• pp.69-82
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• 2018

The gilt-bronze standing Buddha and bronze standing Buddha statues excavated from Yeongguksa Temple in Yeongdong, currently held in the collection of the Cheongju National Museum, underwent conservation treatment after scientific study. Materials analysis showed that the gilt-bronze statue was made with a ternary alloy of copper, tin, and lead, while the bronze statue is of a binary alloy of copper and tin. The analysis also revealed that the bronze statue contains gold, and it is therefore recommended to change its description to gilt-bronze standing Buddha. The gilt-bronze statue appears to have been made with lead produced in Korea. The material observed on the surface that is presumed to have been used as an adhesive for the gold coloring is thought to be lacquer. For conservation treatment, the statues were minimally cleaned using physical and chemical methods and were treated through consolidation and protective coating.

• Conservation Science in Museum
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• v.11
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• pp.1-8
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• 2010

Conservation re-treatment of dagger and scabbard in Gyeongju National Museum, which were excavated from Gyerim-ro Tomb No. 14 (Treasure No. 635) was carried out after a wide-scale dissembling in order for publishing a report and holding a special exhibition. The interior shape of the iron dagger which was disclosed by ornament plates was confirmed by X-ray investigation. The results of XRF analysis which was used to analyse compositions of the golden ornament plates reveal that having more than 3% of copper distinguishes it from other Silla gold artifacts. The conservation treatment progressed in a way that surface contaminants were removed and insecure areas were consolidated. The original shape of the iron dagger and scabbard was found after adhering and restoration. With the ornament plates staying on the iron dagger, a stand in acrylic for display and storage was made, which is able to place the dagger and scabbard in the safest way.

• Conservation Science in Museum
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• v.17
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• pp.85-100
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• 2016

The Bukji-ri Stone Pensive Bodhisattva of Bonghwa in the collection of Kyungpook National University Museum was transported to the National Museum of Korea for display in a special exhibition('Masterpieces of Early Buddhist Sculpture 100 BCE - 700 CE') and therefore underwent conservation ahead of the exhibition's start date. The stone sculpture had visibly encrusted surface dirt, granular disintegration and fissures upon arrival. Notably, a crack running obliquely across its lower half rendered the object unable to support its own weight without a pedestal, so one was created in order to maintain the sculpture in an upright position while on exhibition. The sculpture was further examined using a polarizing microscope and a stereoscopic microscope. SEM-EDS resulted in petrographic analysis of the stone's mineral composition and identification of its surface contaminants. Polarizing light microscopy confirmed biotite granite as the main mineral component of the object. Several urethane resins cast in round cross-sections were inserted into the newly made pedestal and stability tests were perform to measure the frictional force of the resins. An additional test was performed to compare urethane resin and epoxy resin, with results showing urethane to have a higher coefficient of friction. Utilizing a pedestal with urethane resin effectively ensured the stability of the Bukji-ri Stone Pensive Bodhisattva of Bonghwa during the aforementioned exhibition.

• Conservation Science in Museum
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• v.26
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• pp.161-182
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• 2021

A jungwangu, a type of medium-sized mortar, is a firearm with a barrel and a bowl-shaped projectileloading component. A bigyeokjincheonroe (bombshell) or a danseok (stone ball) could be used as a projectile. According to the Hwaposik eonhae (Korean Translation of the Method of Production and Use of Artillery, 1635) by Yi Seo, mortars were classified into four types according to its size: large, medium, small, or extra-small. A total of three mortars from the Joseon period have survived, including one large mortar (Treasure No. 857) and two medium versions (Treasure Nos. 858 and 859). In this study, the production method for medium mortars was investigated based on scientific analysis of the two extant medium mortars, respectively housed in the Jinju National Museum (Treasure No. 858) and the Korea Naval Academy Museum (Treasure No. 859). Since only two medium mortars remain in Korea, detailed specifications were compared between them based on precise 3D scanning information of the items, and the measurements were compared with the figures in relevant records from the period. According to the investigation, the two mortars showed only a minute difference in overall size but their weight differed by 5,507 grams. In particular, the location of the wick hole and the length of the handle were distinct. The extant medium mortars are highly similar to the specifications listed in the Hwaposik eonhae. The composition of the medium mortars was analyzed and compared with other bronze gunpowder weapons. The surface composition analysis showed that the medium mortars were made of a ternary alloy of Cu-Sn-Pb with average respective proportions of (wt%) 85.24, 10.16, and 2.98. The material composition of the medium mortars was very similar to the average composition of the small gun from the Joseon period analyzed in previous research. It also showed a similarity with that of bronze gun-metal from medieval Europe. The casting technique was investigated based on a casting defect on the surface and the CT image. Judging by the mold line on the side, it appears that they were made in a piece-mold wherein the mold was halved and using a vertical design with molten metal poured through the end of the chamber and the muzzle was at the bottom. Chaplets, an auxiliary device that fixed the mold and the core to the barrel wall, were identified, which may have been applied to maintain the uniformity of the barrel wall. While the two medium mortars (Treasure Nos. 858 and 859) are highly similar to each other in appearance, considering the difference in the arrangement of the chaplets between the two items it is likely that a different mold design was used for each item.

• Conservation Science in Museum
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• v.27
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• pp.125-146
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• 2022

The Wooden Gamsil with Inscription of "Botajeon" in the collection of the Dongguk University Museum was made in imitation of the wooden architecture style of the late Joseon period. The Gamsil had suffered exfoliation in the pigment and loss of components and thus underwent conservation treatment. Prior to the conservation treatment, the damage was classified by type and form, scientific analysis was carried out on the fiber and the species of wood, and portable X-ray fluorescence (P-XRF) analysis was conducted for the pigment component analysis. According to the analyses, Korea Pine(Soft pine) was used for most parts of the Gamsil, Manchurian walnut (Jugalns spp.) was used for the signboard, and the fiber used was identified as rice straw (Oryza sativa). The P-XRF identified white lead and zinc oxide in the white pigment, red lead in the red pigment, ultramarine blue in the blue pigment, and emerald green in the green pigment. For the conservation treatment, contaminants attached to the gamsil were removed by both dry and wet cleaning, detached parts were reattached in their original places, and lost parts were restored.

• Conservation Science in Museum
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• v.26
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• pp.25-34
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• 2021

3D printing technology has been actively applied for the restoration of cultural properties. However, its application to the restoration of glass cultural properties has not yet been reported and thus requires further study. In this study, 3D printing technology was used to restore a defective part of a glass sarira bottle that forms an element of a series of sarira reliquaries commissioned by Yi Seonggye (known as King Taejo after founding the Joseon Dynasty) that was excavated from Geumgangsan Mountain (designated as Treasure No. 1925) and is currently housed at the National Museum of Korea. The defective area was reproduced using 3D printing and the printed reproduction was reproduced again using an epoxy resin. This latter piece was used as the restoration component rather than the 3D printed element. After the completion of the conservation treatment, the materials used for the 3D printing were compared with transparent materials used to restore ceramics to evaluate their usability and stability. A total of five specimens were produced, including from photocurable resin made by a stereo lithography apparatus (SLA), epoxy resin, acrylic resin, and more. They were exposed to UV for 96 hours to test for yellowing. Of the two specimens made of photocurable resins and exposed to UV, one was sprayed with a UV blocking agent but the other was exposed as-is. The UV exposure test showed that the specimen made by the SLA and sprayed with a UV blocking agent and the specimen made of epoxy resin were stable in terms of yellowing with a change in the b-value was less than 1. They are thus considered to be suitable materials for the restoration of glass cultural properties. Such glass cultural properties are often diverse in shape and their restoration can be difficult as they generally consist of a range of complex parts that hamper restoration. In this regard, diverse materials should be considered when selecting materials for the restoration of glass cultural properties.

• Conservation Science in Museum
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• v.26
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• pp.67-82
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• 2021

Two golden beads (Buyeo 5336) housed at the Buyeo National Museum were discovered in 1993 near the site of an ancient workshop in Neungsan-ri in Buyeo-gun, Chungcheongnam-do Province. These rare examples from the Baekje Kingdom of an application of granulation have maintained their original form intact, and thus serve as important materials for the investigation of production techniques applied. This study analyzed the composition of the golden beads using a portable X-ray fluorescence analyzer, a stereo microscope, and a scanning electron microscope with an energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer. The manufacturing technique was examined through the observation of the micro-shape and the surface condition and by a composition analysis of the joint part. In both beads, a hole was pierced in a hollow body and the bead was decorated with golden wires around the hole and gold granules in other parts. In some areas, golden granules had been attached to the gold plate and golden wires were then placed over the granules. The purity of both the wires and the granules was analyzed as 23.6 - 23.7K. A high copper content was detected in some of the parts where the granules were attached. The findings of a previous reproduction experiment and study of production methods suggest that the beads were made using the copper diffusion technique.

• Conservation Science in Museum
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• v.27
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• pp.147-164
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• 2022

Over 200,000 Korean cultural heritage items are currently located abroad. They have made their way to 22 countries under different circumstances and with unique backgrounds. While some of them continue to contribute to promoting Korean culture around the world, others cannot be exhibited due to damage or poor condition. In view of these circumstances, the Overseas Korean Cultural Heritage Foundation (OKCHF) has since 2013 provided museums and art galleries abroad with support for the conservation, restoration, and utilization of the Korean cultural heritage items that they house. As a part of these efforts and on the occasion of the 120th anniversary of the diplomatic relationship between the Republic of Korea and the Kingdom of Belgium in 2021, a gilt-bronze case for acupuncture needles dating to the Goryeo period (918-1392) from the collection of the Royal Museums of Art and History (RMAH), Belgium was brought to Korea for conservation treatment. The primary purpose of this conservation treatment was to restore the original form of the relic and slow to the degree possible the progress of corrosion. The conservation treatment of the gilt-bronze case followed the fundamental order of conservation treatment: removal of corrosive substances, stabilization, and reinforcement. Since this was the first case of restoring metallic cultural properties under the abovementioned support program by the OKCHF, special methodologies distinct from those available in overseas institutions were required. Diverse scientific methods (e.g., X-ray inspection, CT scanning, 3D microscopy) were applied to identify the metalcraft techniques used in the Goryeo period. The analysis found that several designs, including lotus and scrollwork, were exquisitely engraved on the surface of the case by making dots using a round-edged chisel. A bronze plate engraved with designs was rolled into a cylindrical form. The ends were overlapped by 2 to 3 centimeters and then attached to each other by silver soldering. The overlapping ends were welded flat with nearly no gaps. As the final process in the production, the case was lavishly gilt with gold powder using amalgam gilding. The conservation treatment of the gilt-bronze case for acupunctural needles in the RMAH collection restored the original form of the relic and arrested further corrosion. Above all, it revived the historic and academic value of the overseas Korean cultural heritage through scientific analysis.