Korean J Art Hist Search

CLOSE


Korean J Art Hist > Volume 305; 2020 > Article
Korean Journal of Art History 2020;305:39-77.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.31065/ahak.305.305.202003.002    Published online March 31, 2020.
근대기 骨灰의 재료 변용과 배경
임슬령
한국전통문화대학교 일반대학원 문화유산융합학과 박사과정
The Modern Transformation of Bone Ashes and Its Cause
Seulyoung Lim
Ph.D.student, Korea National University of Cultural Heritage
Correspondence:  Seulyoung Lim,
Received: 31 August 2019   • Revised: 9 September 2019   • Accepted: 2 October 2019
Abstract
During the Joseon period, bone ashes or golhoe were one of the primary materials used to protect and smoothen the surface of lacquerware. This substrate was gradually replaced by clay materials similarly called gorae in the modern period. This article examines the causes of this transition. Scientific analysis and textual records testify that bone ashes served to be the essential substance of lacquerware throughout premodern Korean history from the Three Kingdoms to Joseon. However, around the beginning of the modern period, lacquer artisans began to diversify formulas of bone ashes. Nowadays, Intangible Cultural Properties, the nationally designated artisans who are obligated to maintain and transmit traditional crafts, use an array of materials including clay, clay ashes and charcoal ashes. By analyzing the composition of bone ashes used by Joseon master craftsman and that of clay materials used by Intangible Cultural Properties, this paper concludes that three factors prompted the modern transformation of lacquerware materials. First, the disintegration of the system of official craftsmen, along with socio-economic changes of Joseon, obstructed the supply line of bone ashes in the late Joseon. Second, the modern technique of inlaying mother-of-pearl did not require bone ashes as the primary substance any more, although it was proven effective previously. Last, industrialization under the Japanese colonial rule led to increased demand in lacquerware, and therefore, artisans experimented with new technologies to meet such demand and selected substrates accordingly. These innovative artisans later became forefathers of the lineages of Intangible Cultural Properties.
Key Words: Ashes with lacquer, Bone ashes, Clay with lacquer
TOOLS
Share :
Facebook Twitter Linked In Google+ Line it
METRICS Graph View
  • 0 Crossref
  •     Scopus
  • 1,273 View
  • 16 Download
Related articles in Korean J Art Hist


ABOUT
BROWSE ARTICLES
EDITORIAL POLICY
FOR CONTRIBUTORS
Editorial Office
Rm. 601. Harvard Officetel Bldg. 1794, Nambusunhwan-ro, Gwanak-gu, Seoul 08786, Republic of Korea
Tel: +82-2-884-0271    Fax: +82-2-884-0277    E-mail: ahak@korea-art.or.kr                

Copyright © 2024 by Art History Association of Korea.

Developed in M2PI

Close layer
prev next