Jade Investiture Book of King Taejo

This jade book was produced in 1683, the 9th year of King Sukjong’s reign, when King Sukjong bestowed the posthumous title “Righteous and Luminous Benevolence (正義光德)”on King Taejo. Royal investiture book was usually bestowed, along with the royal seal. Tributes or entreaties to the recipient were inscribed on the book and it was bestowed when entitling the queen, crown prince, consort of the crown prince or conferring posthumous or honorary titles. Materials used for the production of the book varied, ranging from jade or bamboo to gold, depending on the benefactor’s status. Jade books were typically made by connecting panels with hinges or rings. Individual panel was composed of five to six long jade strips. This ten-fold jade book is comprised of 44 vertical lines of the tribute to King Taejo’s meritorious achievements carved in intaglio and painted in gold.