• Conservation Science in Museum
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• v.16
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• pp.32-45
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• 2015

The bronze incense burner, discovered in Chungung-dong, Hanam, Gyeonggi-do in 1971, is a hanging incense burner dating from the Goryeo period. The incense burner was covered with a thick layer of clay. The object was in a severely deteriorated state, affected by bronze disease which resulted in extensive corrosion. Numerous cracks were present across its surface, and some parts had been broken off. To preserve and display the bronze incense burner in a stable condition, deposits of foreign material were removed from the surface, and the weakened metal was strengthened. Cracked and broken areas were reinforced using woven glass fiber, followed by the application of epoxy resin to restore the shape. To investigate the method of production, a chemical analysis was performed, and the microstructure was examined. The chemical analysis revealed that the body of the incense burner as well as the ear, loop, lid and the knob were cast in a ternary alloy of Cu-Sn-Pb. Moreover, copper nails with high copper content were used to securely join the ear to the body of the incense burner. The microstructure was mainly α-phase, and non-intermetallic inclusions composed of Cu and S were detected.

• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.57 no.1
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• pp.22-36
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• 2024

In 1993, a large number of relics was found in Cheongju Sanesa Buddhist Temple. They show superiority as bronze-based products, and are especially important in since they provide much information about the time of their creation. However, there are many opinions about the time they were hoarded: in the middle of the 13^th century, late in the 13^th century, early in the 14^th century, etc. This study estimates the time they were hoarded to be some time in April 1291 during the invasion of Kădīn (哈丹) in the Yuan Dynasty. Kădīn's troops invaded the Goryeo Dynasty, then went through Yangpyeong and Wonju in January 1291 and appeared in Yeongi-hyeon on May 1 of that year. Based on records, this study verified that the troops passed through Cheongju on their way from Chungju to Yeongi-hyeon (currently Sejong-si) and pointed out that the invasion route of the troops was the background for the hoarding of Sanesa relics. The estimation that the Sanesa relics were hoarded in 1291 when Kădīn's invasion was going on makes it possible to reasonably clear up the era of the relics in which the Heavenly Stems called gānzhī (干支) Muo (戊午), Gyeongshin (庚申), Giyu(己酉) etc. were written. That is, Giyu Geumgo is presumed to be the year 1249, Muo Hyangro 1258, Gyeongshin Hyangwan 1260, etc.