• Journal of the Mineralogical Society of Korea
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.271-281
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• 2008

The "Noerog", a traditional green mineral pigment occurs as veins or cavity-filings in the basaltic pyroclastic rocks of Quaternary Epoch in Mt. Noeseong in Janggi-myeon, Pohang. The "Noerog stone" mainly consists of celadonite with minor chlorite/smectite, mordenite and opal. Celadonite grains are several hundreds to several tens of ${\mu}m$ in size. The particle sizes under several tens of fm are likely to coagulate to aggregates. The coloring rate increases rapidly with decreasing particle size under $71{\mu}m$. The hiding power is maximum in the particle sizes of $0.2\sim0.3{\mu}m$. The resistance properties of the Noerog to both the light and the bacteria are absolutely superior to ordinary chemical pigments. The transparency of the Noerog is maximum in the nano-powders under 200 nm. Examination of the color of the Noerog pigment which has been prepared by traditional technique for "dancheong" shows that the best coloring effect is found in the particle sizes under $32{\mu}m$ and that the painting was not successful for the Noerog of particle size over $32{\mu}m$.

• Journal of the Mineralogical Society of Korea
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.23-32
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• 2018

Noerok ia a green pigment used in Joseon dynasty, and its main usage was for forming foundation layers of Dancheong, the ornamental paintings on the surface of traditional buildings in Korea, such as the Daeung-jeon(main hall) of Bulguk-sa temple. In this research, we investigated the mineralogical characteristic changes of Noerok, a traditional Korean pigment, depending on its firing temperature. The Noerok that we experimented on was mined from Noeseong Mountain, Pohang where it is locally reserved. The major composition mineral is Celadonite, and the main constituent elements are Fe, Si, K and Mg, that refers to the existence of Fe-rich mica. As a result of phased firing experiment from $105^{\circ}C$ to $1000^{\circ}C$, the color was changed from green to pale green, then to brown, and finally to red in order. In the thermal analysis, endothermic reaction induced by the dehydration of crystalline water was confirmed at around $616^{\circ}C$. In the mineralogical change, the crystal surface [($11{\bar{1}}$) and ($02{\bar{1}}$)] of the mineral collapsed at temperatures above $600^{\circ}C$, and iron oxide was formed at $1000^{\circ}C$ or higher. Therefore, it is estimated that the crystallization temperature of Noerok is below $600^{\circ}C$, and it is also considered that it has undergone the alteration phase up to stage I, based on the presence of only a celadonite.

• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.57 no.2
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• pp.102-115
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• 2024

Painted Cultural heritage uses various materials such as paper, silk, wood, soil, and lime as a base layer to draw on using ink sticks and express lines or colors using various colorants. The importance of underdrawings is emphasized when it comes to replication and preservation, as they can reveal the original drawing. Investigations using infrared have been extensively conducted to detect underdrawings. However, there has been a paucity of research on the influence of underdrawing detection according to the base layer. In this study, the effect of the base layer materials on underdrawing detection in painted cultural heritage was confirmed using an infrared camera and hyperspectral camera (900 to 1700 nm). The study samples marked '檢' with ink below the color layer (cinnabar, orpiment, malachite, azurite, white lead, and red lead) by the base layer materials: Paper (Dakji, indigo/Dakji), silk (silk, silk/white lead), wood (celadonite/wood), soil (celadonite/soil), and lime. The difference in the effect on underdrawing detection was minimal for paper and silk, and no significant differences were found between Dakji and indigo/Dakji, or between silk and silk/white lead. However, we found that celadonite/wood, celadonite/soil, and lime have a significant impact on underdrawing detection. In particular, for wood and soil painted with celadonite, underdrawings were not detected for all six color layers. In the case of lime, it was found that all color layers except malachite had a more positive effect on underdrawing detection. The findings of this study will aid in selecting the appropriate method for underdrawing analysis in the restoration of painted cultural heritage.

• Journal of the Mineralogical Society of Korea
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.33-46
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• 2018

Traditional inorganic pigments applied to dancheong, buddhist painting, and wall painting were produced from natural minerals which were later replaced by synthetic pigments, resulting in the loss of the recipe to prepare mineral pigments. This study examined the domestic occurrence and mineralogical characteristics of green and blue mineral pigments required for the conservation of cultural heritage. Cuprous green-blue mineral pigments were found as the weathering products of waste dumps and ores of abandoned Cu-Pb-Zn sulfide mines. Mineralogical analyses using X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy identified diverse hydrous copper sulfate pigments of green (brochantite and devilline) and blue color (linarite, bechererite, and schulenbergite) with minor green pigments of antlerite and atacamite commonly associated with cerussite, smithsonite, anglesite, and cuprite. Noerok, a green silicate pigment, replaced the fractured basalt lava. Celadonite was responsible for the green color of Noerok, closely associated with opal in varying ratio. Glauconite, green silicate pigment, was identified in the Yellow Sea sediments. Malachite and azurite, the most important green and blue pigments of Korean cultural heritage, were not identified in this study.

• The Journal of the Petrological Society of Korea
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.195-205
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• 2018

Noerok is a green pigment made of mineral used the Gachil(priming coat) of wooden architecture in Chosun Dynasty era. It has been reported that various Noerok are discovered in Janggimyeon, Pohang. In this study, The Noerok from two places is compared and discussed. Noerok in the two places has blulsh-green to green color, and it is similar to their occurrences on fracture filling, vein and dike on outcrop. However, there are differences between two sites according to its petrological feature, mineral composition and geochemistry. While the Noeseongsan sample is mostly celadonite, Gwangjeongsan samples are characterized by celadonite with varying contents of cristobalite, tridymite, feldspar, along with some vitrified contents. In terms of major elements, the amount of $Al_2O_3$, $Fe_2O_3$, MgO and $K_2O$ decreases linearly with increasing $SiO_2$, whereas $Fe_2O_3$ is linearly proportional to MgO. In summary, Noerok in the study areas can be classified into 4 types (type 1, type 2, type 3-1, type 3-2) base on color, mineral composition, elemental composition, and vitrification grade.

• Journal of Conservation Science
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• v.36 no.6
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• pp.533-540
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• 2020

Mt. Neoseongsan (NSS) is the only natural Neorok source in Korea. The geological, historical, and cultural values of NSS were recognized in 2013, and NSS has since been designated and maintained as a natural monument (No. 547), which has restricted the research and utilization of NSS Neorok. The limited NSS Neorok supply has hindered the restoration research of traditional pigments. Recently, a large amount of Neorok has been mined from Mt. Gwangeongsan (GJS) and is expected to be the main supply source of Neorok for restoring traditional pigments. Therefore, this study analyzed the characteristics of NSS- and GJS-Neorok-based pigments to evaluate the feasibility of substituting GJS Neorok for NSS Neorok in pigments. The NSS Neorok was mostly comprised of celadonite, whereas the GJS Neorok included minerals containing glassy phases such as celadonite, cristobalite, tridymite, etc. Because both Neorok samples were vitrified under identical conditions, the GJS Neorok grains were larger than the NSS Neorok ones. The GJS Neorok pigment showed that the chromaticity, grain size, oil absorption, and stability varied depending on the mineral types and contents. In particular, GJS-2 and NSS Neorok showed similar mineral compositions, physical properties, and stabilities, suggesting that GJS-2 can be substituted for NSS Neorok, which has been difficult to source and utilize ever since NSS was designated as a natural monument.

• Journal of Conservation Science
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.47-59
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• 2020

Scientific analysis was conducted to identify the paint pigments used in the Buseoksa Josadang murals. optical microscopy(OM), X-ray fluorescence(XRF), XRF mapping, scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy(SEM-EDS), and Raman spectroscopy were performed to examine the pigments. The results confirmed that the Josadang murals consist of two paint layers wherein the pigments were distinct for most colors. It was estimated that celadonite, white clay, red ochre, cinnabar and minium, synthetic green pigment containing tin and zinc paratacamite, or botallackite were used in the upper layer. In addition, bone white, celadonite, red ochre, azurite, cinnabar or vermilion, and gold were identified in the lower layer. In addition, as Zn and Sn were detected in the green pigments extracted from the top layer of the paint, it is believed that Josadang murals were repainted over the original paint layer at some point after the 17th century. In addition, white pigments containing calcium phosphate were found in all the colors in the bottom layer, which is the original paint layer. These results are significant because this is the first time that white pigments are found in Korean traditional paintings. Additionally, the information revealed about the pigments in this study will serve as areference for the pigments used in the Goryeo period.

• Journal of Conservation Science
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.365-372
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• 2014

The purpose of the present study is to determine the species of red and green pigments used on paintings of Korean temples and also to compare the two pigments according to the particle characteristics. The component analysis shows that the red pigment consists of cinnabar, hematite, and minium and the green pigment are composed of atacamite, celadonite, and malachite. The result suggests that mixture of various pigments were applied to the painting. When it comes to the particle characteristics, there are various hedral or anhedral shapes such as sharp, long, angular, and platy shapes even in the same cinnabar. In addition, the green pigment also shows a similar pattern with those of the red pigment. Up to now, an identification of minerals has been relied on examination of component and crystal shape. However, it is notable that using form related characteristics can be a better and useful method not only for categorization of pigments which are similar in terms of color and species but also specific index.

• Journal of Conservation Science
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.429-441
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• 2015

The purpose of this study is to analyse the properties of Seokrok and Noerok that are used for restoration of heritage and arts. Malachite is main constituent mineral for Seokrok and Celadonite is Main component of Noerok. To evaluate the physical properties of pigment, A,B-class Seokrok and heated Seokrok that are sold in market were selected. To compare this results, Noerok sold in Japan were studied. In addition, we studied the pigments of Noerok. The heat treatment had no significant effect on the physical properties, except for the color-difference. The color-difference of Seokrok is larger than that of the Noerok sold in Japan. The $a^*$ values of Seokrok specimens are horizontal distribution, so it will expand the coloring ranges. The properties that are chromaticity, specific gravity and oil-absorption of Noerok are different from Seokrok. Noerok is suggested that achromatic color because the values of $a^*$ located near zero. Specific gravity of Noerok is smaller than Seokrok, but oil-absorption is larger twice. Noerok and Amnok, although ingredients are different, it is possible to use alternative because of similar physical characteristics. The result from this study expects to be used as useful referencing data for conservation and restoration of cultural heritage and understanding phenomena of the properties.

• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.18-31
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• 2014

This study aims at identifying of characteristics and types of the pigments used for Dancheong(surface decorative and protective pigments) of Yaksajeon Hall in Gwallyoungsa Temple using a Micro-XRF, XRD, SEM-EDS and thereafter, comparing it with the pigments of the wall painting in the same building and with Dancheong pigments of Daeungjeon Hall. The results can be briefly summarized as two points. First, different types of pigments for red, green and white colours had been applied based on different parts of the building and more than two different pigments had been mixed to produce various colours in so me parts. Second, scientific analysis has confirmed that raw minerals for each colour groups are: Cinnabar, minium and Hematite for red; white clay and oyster shell white($Al_2O_3{\cdot}SiO_2{\cdot}4H_2O$) for white; Atacamite and Celadonite for green; carbon(C) for black; Yellow Ocher for yellow; and Lazulite for blue. Comparative analysis of such result with that of the wall paintings and of Dancheong of Daeungjeon Hall has revealed that similar minerals had been used in overall except that several different pigments had been added or removed for making green, white and yellow colour groups in some parts. In conclusion, the result has displayed that painters had used different ways of producing pigments by a type of painting or a building within the same period or for the buildings in the same buddhist temple compound.