Location

not on view

Fun Fact

A large quantity of bronze seals excavated from tombs of the Goryeo dynasty is closely related to the development of metallurgy in 13th-century Korea that allowed the transition from wood type to movable metal type printing.

Description

A large quantity of bronze seals were excavated from tombs of the Goryeo dynasty. This turtle-shaped seal bears two inscribed characters: 高良, meaning "great integrity." The red cinnabar paste is still visible, indicating it must have been used to sign various documents, while its owner was still alive.

Provenance

?–1917

(Yamanaka and Company, sold to the Cleveland Museum of Art)

1917–

The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH

Citations

Choi, Eung-chon. “Craftsmen in Metal Arts in the Goryeo Dynasty [고려시대 金屬工藝의 匠人].” Misulsahak yeongu (2004): 171-192. www.dbpia.co.kr

Choi, Eung-chon. “Metal Arts in the Late Goryeo Period [고려후기의 금속공예].” Kangjwa misulsa (2004): 125-156. www.dbpia.co.kr

Goryeo Dynasty: Korea's Age of Enlightenment, 918-1392. San Francisco: Asian Art Museum, 2003.

The spirit of Goryeo in metalcrafts [금속공예에깃든고려인의삶]. Seoul: Jeju National Museum and National Cheongju Museum, 2011. Reproduced: p. 25, fig. 13

Bronze in Life and Art [삶과 예술 속. 청동 靑銅 이야기] National Cheongju Museum (2016).

Goryeo: The Glory of Korea [대고려, 그 찬란한 도전]. Seoul: National Museum of Korea, 2018.

The Cleveland Museum of Art

Seal

청동 인장 (靑銅印章)

Korea, Goryeo period

Location

Fun Fact

Description