• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
• /
• v.43 no.3
• /
• pp.334-365
• /
• 2010

Mother-of-Pearl craftwork sketch involves the whole process of making a piece of work. Therefore, it includes types, forms, sizes, and patterns of the work. Some information about when and by whom those works were manufactured and who ordered them are still found in some sketches. This paper seeks to find out popular types and patterns of the works in each period and its demand and the way of supply by examining the collection of approximately 1700 Mother-of-Pearl craftwork sketches from the period of Japanese colonization up to the present time, which are owned by Mr. Song Bang-wung, Important Intangible Cultural Heritage no.10. Typical patterns of sketches are the hua-jo(花鳥 : Flowers and Birds), the Sakunja(四君子 : Four Gracious Plants), cultural treasures, figures in folk tales, 'Su-bok(壽福)' characters, and landscape. The pattern sketches have changed according to the circumstances of Korean society. During the period of Japanese colonization from the 1920s to the 1940s the manufacture and the supply and demand of Mother-of-Pearl craftworks were controled by the Japanese government. As a result, many of the patterns were adjusted to the Japanese taste. Most of its customers were also Japanese. During the 1950s after Independence the American Military Forces appeared as new customers due to the Korean War. Thus, the traditional Korean patterns to decorate accessories adored by American soldiers gained popularity. Foreign Mother-of-Perls were imported from the late 1960s to the 1970s. They were bigger and more colorful than those of Korean and it enabled the sketches bigger and the patterns more various. The most popular pattern in this period was the pattern of cultural treasures, such as an image of Buddha, metalcraft works, porcelains and pagodas. In terms of a technique, new techniques, such as engraving and rusting were introduced. There was a great demand for Mother-of-Pearl craftworks in the 1970s as people were highly interested in them. They were entirely made to order and there was a large demand from diverse organizations, furniture dealers and individuals. And the Mother-of-Pearl craftwork was in full flourish in the 1970s due to the country's economic development and the growth of national income. Mass production of the works was possible and the professional designers who drew patterns actively worked in this period. The favor of Mother-of-Pearl craftworks declined in the 1980s since the built-in furniture and the Western style of furniture became prevalent due to the change of housing into apartments. But it seemed that the manufacture of Mother-of-Pearl craftworks revived for once the technique of Kunum-jil(끊음질 : cutting and attaching) became popular in Tong-young(統營). After the 1990s, however, the making of Mother-of-Pearl craftworks gradually declined as the need of them decreased. Now it barely maintains its existence by a few artisans.

• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
• /
• v.56 no.3
• /
• pp.100-115
• /
• 2023

The modernization of najeonchil, or mother-of-pearl lacquerware, began in the latter era of the Joseon period and started to set in during the phase of industrial development after the Korean War. Especially, the rise and fall of najeonchil during the first half of the 1900s fluctuated more compared to other types of craft. This paper focuses on the production, supply and demand activities of the works by Min Jong-tae, who was born in 1915, began his career in 1929 and devoted 70 years of his life creating najeonchil craft and furniture. As an apprentice under Jeon Sung-gyu, who revived the craft of najeonchil, Min Jong-tae was not only an artisan who ranked alongside Kim Bongryong, Song Juan, Shim Bugil, Kim Taehee, but also a businessman. In particular, Min led the boom of modern najeonchilgi during the 1970s-80s in Seoul, which was the most important market at that time. However, studies about Min Jong-tae are almost non-existence, despite his accomplishments. This study first describes how Min Jong-tae began the craft of najeonchil and early days of his career around the liberation period, then retraced his efforts in building a supply and demand system in the 1950s-60s. Moreover, this paper covers not only his creations of large-scale najeonchil furniture in the advent of an era of 'wardrobe culture' in the 1970s-80s, but also his exported pieces to Japan, including incense boxes and tea containers. In conclusion, this research derives the historical significance of Min Jong-tae's role as an artisan of najeonchil- designated as Seoul Intangible Cultural Heritage No. 14 in the field of craft.