• MISULJARYO - National Museum of Korea Art Journal
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• v.98
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• pp.200-225
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• 2020

This paper, based on "Minhwa Chaekgeori" paintings from the collection of the National Museum of Korea, identifies and discusses fourteen similar works in domestic and international collections as products of the Seokdang workshop. First, the relevant paintings are identified as products of the workshop known as Seokdang (石堂, literally "stone hall") by the workshop's seal that is stamped on them. Second, analysis of the iconography indicates that the paintings were likely produced in the 1920s. Third, research on certain geographic names and addresses associated with this group of paintings suggests that they might not have been separately commissioned, but are rather examples of partially "ready-made" paintings. Fourth, the paper discusses how the designs of various cultural products in these paintings reflects contemporaneous changes in Korea's diplomatic and commercial relations, i.e., the decline of relations with China and rise of relations with the United States and Europe. Finally, a comparison of the Seokdang chaekgeori paintings with the popular chaekgeori paintings produced by Yi Hyeongrok and Yi Deokyeong in the early twentieth century provides important implications for the succession of tradition and innovation in visual culture.

• Journal of Integrative Natural Science
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.63-68
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• 2020

Different units of metrology were used in the Joseon Dynasty, such as Yeongjocheok, Pobaekcheok, Jolegicheok, and Jucheok. In many cases, Yeongjocheok and Pobaekcheok were of different dimensions depending on the region. Therefore, this study analyzed Jaseungcha Dohae of Ha BaeckWon to restore the scale of Hwasun Dongbok area in which Seokdang Na GyeongJeokyung and Gyunam Ha BaeckWon lived and made practical devices. The results of the analysis show that a universal Yeongjocheok of 30.6 cm was used.

• Journal of architectural history
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.7-22
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• 2010

This study includes a review of the relevant literature and data on the Gyeolseong Eupseong, a coastal castle town of the Joseon Period. During the process of building the Gyeolseong Eupseong, Eupchi(administrative office) was transferred to several different locations for the following reasons:. first, to strengthen defensive capabilities by utilizing the locational advantages of the Seokdang Mountain Fortress, second, to secure sufficient space for holding the castle and have access to water in times of emergencies, third, to strengthen coastal defence by utilizing geographical advantages. Most of the Gyeolseong Eupseong was damaged during the Japanese colonial period. At present, there remain only part of the castle's facilities and some facilities that were restored later in modern times; 4 building sites have been identified. Remaining and destructed buildings can be identified through old maps(the local maps of 1872) and Zirizi and Eupzi(geography books). Also identified were 2 castle gate sites where a 1,500m-long stone castle wall and an ongseong(a crescent-shaped defensive structure), 5 chiseongs, and a most were constructed. The Gyeolseong area is assumed to have been a strategic foothold to defend the west coast from the days before the Three Kingdom Period. However it is very difficult to find any records created before the Joseon Period. Therefore, the time of the restoration of the Eupchi should be determined based on records created in the late Joseon Period. Finally, excavation work needs to be done to identify the locations of the castle's facilities.

• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.55 no.1
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• pp.51-61
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• 2022

Earthenware horn cups with horse head decorations were excavated from Tomb No. 7 of Bokcheon-dong, Dongraegu, Busan Metropolitan City. Made of earth in the shape of a horn, these cups are considered to have been used to drink alcohol or beverage. Large numbers of earthenware horn cups of various shapes were excavated from tombs located in the old territories of Silla and Gaya. A pair of earthenware horn cups were excavated from Tomb No. 7, and the two cups are almost identical in overall shapes and manufacturing techniques despite different sizes. Conservation treatment was carried out for the bigger one of the two horn cups this time. There are two cracks toward the horse head decorations around the mouth with missing parts observed. The chest of the horse touches the ground with one side decorating the horse head and the other side facing the conical mouth of the horn cup. It is in the U shape, striking a balance based on two legs attached behind. The surface of the horn cup was made with a potter's wheel, and the connection to the horse head has traces of cutting and trimming. The horse head is expressed realistically with its features including the ears, eyes, nose, and mouth well apprehended and its color is grey This study intended to investigate manufacturing techniques of the artifact by examining its internal structure through the condition survey in a non-destructive way. CT imaging was used to figure out its manufacturing techniques and to diagnose its condition, and accordingly the scientific conservation treatment was conducted to stabilize the artifact. The precise diagnosis on conservation condition found that there are two chips in the spout with their cracks extended. One of the chips is connected with separation added to the crack. The material which has been used for connection in the past was collected for the infrared spectroscopic analysis, which was identified to be nitrocellulose resin for the connection. Therefore, this conservation treatment focused on removing the old material and preventing the spread of cracks. Before conservation treatment, the condition survey and scientific examination for the artifact were carried out to secure data about the earthenware horn cup with horse head decorations(Treasure). Based on them, effective plans for its conservation treatment was sought for and then existing adhesive was safely removed, and restoration material was selected to take into account its reversibility. In addition, the conservation treatment according to optimal methodologies was conducted through the consultation meeting with experts.

• Conservation Science in Museum
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• v.30
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• pp.23-46
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• 2023

The Jija Chongtong Gun, owned by Seokdang Museum of Dong-A University, is a tubedstyle heavy weapon of the battlefield in the mid-Joseon Dynasty and is the second largest firearm after Cheonja Chongtong. The original surface color of the Jija Chongtong Gun was obscured by foreign substances and therefore it was judged that its condition requires the conservation treatment. For stable conservation treatment, gamma ray and X-ray non-destructive transmission surveys was conducted to determine the internal structure and conservation condition. And the component analysis on the material components and surface contaminants of Jija Chongtong Gun was conducted by utilizing the p-XRF component analysis, SEM-EDS component analysis, and XRD analysis. As a result of the gamma-ray and X-ray non-destructive transmission investigation, a large amount of air bubbles was observed inside Jija Chongtong Gun, and the part that appeared to be a chaplet by visual observation was not identified. As a result of gamma-ray and p-XRF component analysis, it was confirmed that Jija Chongtong Gun was bronze made of copper (Cu), tin (Sn), and lead (Pb) alloy. As a result of surface analysis of foreign substances using SEM-EDS, it was confirmed that the main components of white foreign substances were calcium (Ca), sulfur (S), and titanium (Ti). Titanium was presumed to be titanium dioxide (TiO₂), the main component of white correction fluid. The red foreign substance was confirmed to contain barium (Ba) as its main ingredient, and was presumed to be barium sulfate (BaSO₄), an extender pigment in paint. White and red contaminants, mainly composed of titanium and barium, are presumed to have been deposited on the surface in recent years. The yellow foreign substances were confirmed to be aluminum (Al) and silicon (Si), and were presumed to have originated from soil components. As a result of SEM-EDS and XRD component analysis, the white foreign substance was confirmed to be gypsum (CaS). Based on the results of component analysis, surface impurities were removed, stabilization treatment, and strengthening treatment were performed. During the conservation process, unknown inscriptions Woo (右), Byeong (兵), Sang (上), and Yi (二) were discovered through a portable microscope and precise 3D scanning. In addition, the carving method, depth, and width of the inscription were measured. Woo Byeong Sang is located above Happo Fortress in Changwon, and Yi can be identified as the second hill.

• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.54 no.1
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• pp.220-237
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• 2021

This study carried out the conservation treatment for the mattress put on the bed, which is one of 4 items in National Folklore Cultural Heritage, the Red-lacquered Furniture with the inlaid mother-of-pearl design used by Empress Sunjeonghyo (presumed), after identifying the characteristics of the manufacturing techniques and the used materials. And the study intends to compare it with the mattress placed in the Daejojeong in the Changdeokgung Palace in order to identify the characteristics of mattresses domestically used during the 1920s and 1930s. From the analysis of the mattress presumably used by Empress Sunjeonghyo, it was identified that the mattress frame was made of pinaceous hemlock spruce while the webbing and twine in the structural parts were made of jute. The findings are as follows: the burlap had a filling material that was made of jute; the straw mat was made from Oryza; and, the rest of the filling material was cotton. Rayon was used for the top cover while cotton was used for the bottom. As a result of research on the materials and the inner structure, it was found that mattress was manufactured in the form of the upholstery style mainly found in chairs and day-beds in Western furniture. Based on analysis results, materials identical to the original were adopted during the conservation treatment. Next, the process of dismantling, cleaning, repair, reinforcement and assembling was conducted. During the dismantling process, the top cover was newly discovered and some letters (Yokohama, Kobe, and Joseon) were found in the burlap filling, but there was no trace which can clarify its maker or production place. dry cleaning was carried out on the structural parts, filling materials, and the cover, and then the repair and reinforcement were done, preserving the existing materials in the upholstery structure and using the same materials for conservation. The webbing in the structural parts was reinforced using materials identical to the original, and the twine was used for arranging and fixing the springs into wooden frames. For the damaged cotton cloth and burlap, reinforcement materials identical to the original were put over it and sown. For the damaged area of the top cover, reinforcement cloth was cut and then added inside and the damaged area was sown. Assembling was carried out in the reverse order of the dismantling. After the burlap identical to the original material was inserted into the areas in contact with the springs and then fastened, a filling pad, reinforcement cloth, a straw mat, cotton cloth, cotton felt, wide cotton cloth for protecting the cover, and the cover were layered and fastened with tacks. The two mattresses used by Empress Sunjeonghyo differed only by the period of production and followed the same Western upholstery style consisting of the frames, filling materials, and covers. During the conservation treatment process, a velvet cover was newly discovered and the traces of repair in the past were found. Furthermore, identifying straw mats, straw bags, and straws for filling material, this study confirmed changes in the materials used according to the production environment. In the future, it is expected to see changes in the conservation materials during the conservation treatment and manufacturing techniques used for chairs and sofas in the upholstery style belonging to the modern cultural artifacts.