One national treasure, 20 treasures and another 80 valuable pieces are all gathered in a single room. It’s like you’ve become Ali Baba and discovered the secret of a thieves’ den by saying “Open Sesame!” What would be the value of all these treasures if converted into money? 

Currently, a majestic treasure exhibition is being held at the Gyeonggi Provincial Museum. The Gyeonggi Treasure Exhibition, a special exhibition that began on April 22, goes far beyond the kind of capabilities a provincial region can demonstrate. Gathering all such precious treasures from over 20 institutions is said to be an unprecedented event. What is the meaning behind this special event that may never take place again?

■ Semiconductor of the Joseon Dynasty that cannot be reproduced even with today’s cutting-edge technology

When you stand in front of this glass-encased ceramic ware at the core of the exhibition room, you feel you are watching a scene from a mystery movie. It seems like you have become Sherlock Holmes who is trying to protect the treasure after receiving a warning from a mysterious chief of the era. This very piece seems to be very costly. Wait, is it National Treasure?

It says on the information board that this Korea’s Treasure No. 659 and is called “Baekja Chunghwa Vase with Apricot Flower, Bamboo Tree and Bird”. I unconsciously said to the curator.

“It should have less value than the National Treasure.”

Then I received an unexpected answer.

“Well, you may not be able to buy this no matter how much money you have. You could not purchase it even if you offered KRW 5 billion on the spot.”

Five billion Korean won! Some may have claimed that the treasure is less valuable than the National Treasure; they would be shocked if they heard this. Of course, the real value is beyond the cost, since it cannot be bought with money.

“Then, what part of the piece makes it value exceed KRW 5 billion?” 

This Chunghwa Baekja, assumed to have been made during the Joseon Dynasty around the 15th or 16th century, is said to be similar to a canvas painted with melted gold. At that time, the blue pigment painting was more expensive than gold.

This is not the only thing. 

This Chunghwa-hang, neither a National Treasure nor treasure, is the Royal Family’s premium ceramic ware. It would not be strange if it would be elevated to treasure at any time. According to the curator’s explanation, inscribing such delicate and sophisticated images on ceramic ware, not on a flat surface, is something that cannot be reproduced at the present time.

“Let’s say it is the semiconductor technology of the Joseon Dynasty. At that time, ceramic ware is a manmade cutting-edge technology. Despite the fabulous technology of our time, this cannot be reproduced, meaning that such a piece cannot be produced ever again.” 

Now, let’s have a look at the National Treasure, the pièce de résistance among the items displayed here: National Treasure No. 256 Daebanggwangbul Avatamasaka Vol. 1

Then, I asked for the story behind the gathering of all these precious treasures. 

■ For the splendid one thousand history of Gyeonggi

“The year 2018 marks one thousand years of Gyeonggi history. Originally, the term Gyeonggi referred to the area that surrounds and protects the capital; at first, Gyeonggi referred to the surroundings of Gaegeoung, the capital of Goryeo. Then finally, in the Joseon Dynasty, Gyeonggi became what is now Gyeonggi. This exhibition traces the glamourous one-thousand-year-long history of Gyeonggi, which is heading for another one thousand years,” said the curator. 

All the treasures have specific connections to Gyeonggi or Gyeonggi Province. The reason why the exhibition is divided into five parts – “Gyeonggi Province’s Buddhist Culture and Royal Family Inspection”, “Gyeonggi Province’s Paintings and Calligraphic Works”, “Transforming from the Point of Production of Goryeo China to the Point of Consumption” and “Home of Royal Family’s White Ceramic Ware” – is that all the treasures are Gyeonggi’s precious assets. By visiting the exhibition, one becomes aware that Gyeonggi Province was the production site of Goryeo blue ceramics and a large consumption point, the place of Joseon white ceramics, the treasury of Royal Family’s treasures and Buddhist cultural heritage, and a new world of paintings and calligraphic works. 

Let’s have a look at some of the more interesting treasures. Just by looking at these treasures, you become aware that the treasure is not a treasure just because it has some gold work or some magnificent adornment, but because it conveys valuable, precious stories.

The Han Suk-bong Calligraphy Collection Book attracts the eyes. Treasure No. 1078-3, the collection conveys the legendary calligraphy of Han Seok-bong. 

The writings and paintings of Gyeonggi artist Danwon Kim Hong-do are displayed as well. There are several paintings of him including “Scholar Enjoying Music”. Choosa Kim Jeong-hui’s paintings, including “Winter Scene”, are displayed as well. The fact that there were so many great calligraphers and painters of the Joseon Dynasty in Gyeonggi was relatively unknown. 

King Jeong Jo’s Pacho has been displayed as well. Treasure No. 743, the painting has been transferred from Dongkuk University Museum to this exhibition. You can learn that King Jeong Jo was talented in literary painting. This piece is a critical one in research regarding the painting history of the Joseon Dynasty.

You will also come across Suwolgwaneumdo, an important asset to Buddhist culture in the Goryeo Dynasty. Designated as Treasure No. 1426 and preserved at the Amore Pacific Museum, this painting was produced during 14th century. It hints at the glamorous Buddhist culture back in the Goryeo Dynasty. Although it dates back seven centuries, it has been well maintained. This picture depicts a scene from “Hwaumkyung” where Sunjae Dongja, who visited Kwaneumbosal, rescues Bosaldo and Bosalhaeng. 

■ Goryeo ceramic ware that captures the blue sky emerges from a watery vault after hundreds of years.

The ceramics of the Goryeo Dynasty were something that China desired. The standard practice was that Goryeo Cheongja was produced in Gyeonggi Province and distributed at the Gaegyeong Market. This ceramic ware sought to portray the striking blue sky. Over time, it exudes a faint blue hue. Appointed as treasure 1784, Celadon Vase Incised with Lotus and Branch Designs is surprisingly well preserved. Actually, there is a hidden story behind this.

“It was recently discovered at the bottom of the Mado Sea near Okdo-myun in Taean-gun of North Chungcheong with a wooden tag. The tag indicates that the vase was being sent to a lower-level military officer in Gaegyeong. It seems that the vessel carrying the vase sank during shipment.”

The tag says it was a honey pot; however, it is evaluated as an art piece, having far more value than that of a mere honey pot. 

Outside the exhibition room, you may see a folding screen on which the poems of masters such as Jung Do-jeon are inscribed. The exhibition continues until June 21. Some of the pieces will leave the exhibition earlier than this. So if you wish to see every single piece, you better hurry. Pieces such as Suwolgwaneumdo and Celadon Vase Incised with Lotus and Branch Designs will be displayed only until May 20.

There is a caveat. There is a reason why the exhibition room is relatively dark. Light can damage the relics. So, you should not use a flash when taking pictures. You need to pay special attention as each piece is a precious national treasure that cannot be bought with money. Gyeonggi’s thousand-year-long history is something very precious, so please treat it with care. 

http://ggholic.tistory.com/9716