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http://dx.doi.org/10.12654/JCS.2021.37.2.07

Material Analysis of Bosu of the Royal Seals of the Joseon Dynasty and the Korean Empire  

Lee, Hyeyoun (National Palace Museum of Korea)
Kim, Jooyoung (National Palace Museum of Korea)
Cho, Mungyeong (National Palace Museum of Korea)
Kim, Minji (National Palace Museum of Korea)
Park, Daewoo (National Palace Museum of Korea)
Lee, Jungmin (National Palace Museum of Korea)
Publication Information
Journal of Conservation Science / v.37, no.2, 2021 , pp. 154-166 More about this Journal
Abstract
The royal seal, in either gold or jade, is used to symbolize Joseon's royal family, and it is made up of a Bonu (a handle), Bosin (a body), Bomun (a letter inscribed on the seal), and Bosu (a string attached to the seal). The Bosu was designed to enhance the seal's dignity and facilitate convenient handling. Bosu consists of Kkeun-mog and Bangwool-sul (decorated with gilt paper), which are made of Bangwool, Bangwool-mog, and Sul. In this study, the form survey, color, material, and composition of 318 Bosu pieces from the Joseon Dynasty and Korean Empire produced from 1441 to 1928 were analyzed. As time passed, the strings on the seals became longer and thinner. Bangwool-mog disappeared from the mid-1800s, and a ring appeared at the end of the Sul. Most of the colors used were scarlet, but orange and purple were also identified. Although most of the Bosu are silk, five Bosu from the 1900s and one Bosu from the 1740s (likely replaced in the 1900s) are estimated to be rayon. The gilt paper's main chemical components used to decorate the Bangwool-sul vary according to age. Until the mid-1800s, gold (Au) was used for the Sul and Bangwool, but since the mid-1800s, gold (Au) and brass (Cu-Zn) were used for Sul and Bangwool, respectively, and then brass (Cu-Zn) was used for Sul and Bangwool. While the Bosu was a seal accessory, it can be used to identify changes in the manufacturing techniques and materials of the period.
Keywords
Royal seals; Bosu; Gilt paper; Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy; X-ray fluorescence;
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