• Conservation Science in Museum
• /
• v.24
• /
• pp.75-80
• /
• 2020

X-ray computed tomography (X-ray CT), which is often applied to the investigation of the interior structures of cultural properties, is very useful for studying production methods used in lacquerware that would otherwise be difficult to observe with the naked eye. Lacquerware inlaid with mother-of-pearl is an important subject in the study of traditional Korean craft. However, it can be a challenge to specify the production methods used in the framework of a lacquerware item unless the object has been structurally damaged. Studies of lacquerware inlaid with mother-of-pearl have thus far focused on the techniques of lacquering and of inlaying the mother-of-pearl. Production methods for the framework of lacquerware has received little academic attention. This study conducted X-ray CT on a lacquerware item from the Joseon period to reveal the materials and woodworking techniques used for the framework. The study revealed that softwood was used for the framework, and the post (gidungmok) and apron (soemok) were joined using a three-way miter joint (sambang yeongwi jjaim). Other pieces were joined with nails.

• Conservation Science in Museum
• /
• v.1
• /
• pp.53-59
• /
• 1999

Residual fatty acid of the basic material[Backgol] for reinforcement used on the edges of the lacquer ware inlaid box of Chosŏn Dynasty was analyzed. The result showed that it contained considerable amount of cholesterol. So it was confirmed to be animal material. Gas chromatography showed that its fatty acid composition is similar to that of sharkskin. On the basis of this analysis results, the damaged area of the object was restored by using sharkskin as a material for reinforcement.

• Journal of Conservation Science
• /
• v.27 no.4
• /
• pp.371-380
• /
• 2011

For studying of the characteristics and structures of material in lacquer layer in Joseon Dynasty, 6 types and 7 pieces of sample were observed with the optical microscope and the polarizing microscope. For analyzing, SEM-EDS and FT-IR were used and TOF-SIMS was also used on trial. The former is directly varnished on the iron layer so the sample includes more iron component than the others. In the results of the trial analyzing in TOF-SIMS, it is possible to verify the minerals on the foundation layer with the infinitesimalsample. The analysis results of lacquer layer with FT-IR are compared with previous studies and all the samples have the spectrum of the lacquer. Through the result of the Joseon lacquer layer, there are not many samples, however, when it compared with unified Silla, the period of the Three States, and the previous era, the lacquer layers are simpler than the relics from previous era. It looks to have the relation with the simplification of manufacturing method because of expanding of the using of lacquer wares.

• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
• /
• v.49 no.4
• /
• pp.114-125
• /
• 2016

Lacquer is one of the most widely used natural resin in East Asia since Neolithic Age. As a major ingredient of lacquerware, lacquer is waterproof, insect-proof and rot-proof to be durable and anti-abrasion, generally utilized for mainly painting purpose. According to lacquerware excavated from several sites of Japan and China, lacquerware seems to appear in Neolithic Age. On the other hand in case of excavation research in Korea, lacquerwares are found after the Bronze Age. The initial purpose of lacquer is estimated to be adhesive, regarding the literatures mentioning bitumen(Yeoksceong ), animal glue(Kyeo) and egg alumen(Nanbaek). Especially piece of jar coffin unearthed in Pyeongtaek Daechu-ri site had trace of restoration by lacquer and hemp as an evidence of lacquer for adhesion in Pre-Three Kingdoms period. Since then a trend to restore the broken ceramics with lacquer and decorate with golden foil lasted especially in Joseon Dynasty. In the field of gold plated lacquer method, mother-of-pearl inlaying technique for lacquerware and restoration of buildings, lacquer is still used as adhesive. Due to matter of reversibility lacquer is being avoided for conservation and restoration of cultural heritage. Lacquer as a traditional material for adhesive since ancient times, however, has advantage in adhesion strength and durability. Because synthetic resin adhesive has problem of emission of volatile organic compounds and aging over time, lacquer receives attention recently. On the contrary, by combination adhesive from mixing lacquer and animal glue, already proved the possibility of applicability and chemical modification. A research to utilize lacquer as modern paint or functional material is also conducted continuously also in China and Japan. To put traditional material into practical use and modernize, chemical research from the molecular level of the lacquer is necessary in the near future.

• Journal of Conservation Science
• /
• v.5 no.2 s.6
• /
• pp.25-34
• /
• 1996

The essential point to be considered when restoring lacquered ware is to know its materials and properties, and prior studios from the conservational and scientific examination is the way to achieve it. Recently, to get a close examination of its materials and methods involved in lacquered ware making, cross section microscope studies are being applied. Cross section microscope studies shows that lacquering process has been simplified and that bone and earth substances have been added to the materials, a method also traced from the lacquered wooden coffin excavated from the 'Nak Rang Tomb' and by the lacquered wares of the 'Kyongjoo An Ap' areas. The significance of this Chosun Dynasty lacquered wares's inlaid with mother-of pearl restoration can be found in that we have been able to harmonize the very traditional and the very modern scientific method of our time and that we were able to launch a step forward from using only the synthetics to open up a new range of natural materials such as lacquers, bone and earth substances, oxhide-glue and nacres and of referring to the traditional methods.

• Journal of Conservation Science
• /
• v.33 no.5
• /
• pp.355-362
• /
• 2017

The Nongso tomb of Sunchang was built in a relatively deep place; hence there was little damage from grave robbers. The tomb was completely filled with a large amount of charcoal, and therefore the wooden coffin was excavated in relatively good condition. On the basis of the structure of the tombs, excavated artifacts, and radiocarbon dating results, the tomb is estimated to be from between the late Goryeo and the early Joseon period. The wooden coffin excavated is double-layered structures consisting of an outer coffin and an inner coffin. The outside of the wooden coffin is thickly lacquered and decorated with yellow letters and white motifs. An analysis of the pigments' components revealed that the major component of the letters was gold (Au) and the major component of the motifs was silver (Ag). The coffin lacquer had three layers: a pigment layer, a yellowish-brown layer, and a black layer. The wooden bases of the coffins were painted with a black substance, such as soot, as mineral elements were not detected in the black layer. The yellowish-brown layer is presumed to be refined lacquer. From the analysis of the structure of the layers and pigments, we can estimate the method was adopted for making lacquer for wooden coffin. It is assumed that the method used gold leaf and gold powder. The form of the pigment and the internal structure are likely to be gold leaf, but the shape of the surface letters appears to have been formed using gold powder. This study will serve as important information for understanding lacquer making techniques at the time of the tombs' construction by confirming the making method through reproduction experiments using gold leaf and gold powder.

• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
• /
• v.47 no.1
• /
• pp.134-151
• /
• 2014

This paper deals with a review of the structure and production techniques of the Dried-lacquer Amitabha Buddha statue enshrined in Geungnakjeon Hall of Simhyangsa Temple, located in Daeho-dong, Naju-si, Jeollanam-do, Korea. To achieve this goal, X-ray date and two rounds of field research were performed. The data collected were reviewed, and a sample peeled off from the damaged part was analyzed to investigate the structure and material of the background layer. The results revealed that the Simhyangsa Temple Buddha statue was an almost empty Dried-lacquer(Hyeopjeo) Buddha statue where wood core had not been framed and inserted in the statue. It was thus observed that considering that the clothes wrinkles clearly remained, the same one as the irregularity of the outer clothes wrinkles, the Dried-lacquer layer was lifted made in an almost complete shape in the process of forming the clay figure as the origin form. The statue was found to be diagonally incised from the top of the head to the back of the neck to remove the clay and wood core. But in other sites, no incision was confirmed. It was observed that on the site of the head where the incision was made, an adhesives(lacquer or paste) was used. In addition, the black eyes were impacted with beads and the ears, hands, bands, and knots were made of wood. These features are identically shown in the Dried-lacquer Amitabha Buddha statue from Seonguksa Temple, known as a work of the late Goryeo dynasty; the Seated Dried-lacquer Buddha statue in Okura Museum of Art in Tokyo, Japan; the Seated Dried-lacquer Amitabha Buddha statue from Jungnimsa Temple, know as a work of the early Joseon dynasty; and the Seated Vairocana Buddha statue in Bulhoesa Temple, the Seated Dried-lacquer Amitabha Buddha and the Seated Dried-lacquer Buddha statue from Silsangsa Temple. The analysis of the back layer demonstrated that the ground layer and the red lacquer were the production of the time. In particular, the bone ash used for the ground layer was also coated for the ground layer of Buddha statues as well as for the production of the lacquerware during the Goryeo dynasty. It was also found that gold mending was conducted more than twice even in modern times and that the layer of the production time was well preserved despite gold mending several times.