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Since its founding in 1945, the National Museum of Korea has been dedicated to researching and representing the art and culture of the Korean people. The museum holds over 300,000 artefacts dating from prehistory to the present day, and we've chosen 8 of the best.
Comb-pattern Pottery (Neolithic Age) by UnknownNational Museum of Korea
Comb-pattern Pottery
This ceramic cup is one of the oldest in the collection, dating back to 3000BCE. Its geometric design may appear simple, but its varied design of dots and lines, from which it gets its name, tells a lot about the aesthetics and the sophistication of these early people.
Duck-shaped Vessels (Proto-Three Kingdoms Period, 3rd century) by UnknownNational Museum of Korea
Duck-shaped Vessels
According to Korean folk beliefs, birds are intermediaries that traverse between the heavens and the Earth, and are auspicious creatures that provide a village with grain and, subsequently, peace and prosperity.
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These duck-shaped earthenware vessels were discovered at various burial sites. Such vessels were used to hold liquid (e.g., water or alcohol), which could be poured through holes in the back and tail sections of the duck.
Pensive Bodhisattva (Three Kingdoms Period, Late 6th century) by UnknownNational Museum of Korea
Pensive Bodhisattva
This statue of a Pensive Bodhisattva features a magnificent crown, topped with the sun and moon. The stylised curve of the body is matched by the sweeping lines of the robe. The delicacy of the sculpture reveals the bronze-casting skills of its unknown 6th-century makers.
Moon Jar, White Porcelain (Joseon, 18th century) by UnknownNational Museum of Korea
White Porcelain Moon Jar
Milky-white porcelain jars with a large spherical body are traditionally known as 'moon jars', due to their resemblance to a full moon. They were made in two halves joined together, and their slight asymmetry was seen, in the Joseon Dynasty, as a sign of sophisticated handiwork.
Gold Crown (Silla, 5th century) by UnknownNational Museum of Korea
Gold Crown
A treasure of the collection: this intricate gold crown was excavated from the Hwangnamdaechong Tomb in Gyeongju. Pendants including small gold discs, carved jade, and miniature symbolic objects, such as a knife, a fish, and a whetstone, hang from the crown.
Tiger (Joseon)National Museum of Korea
Ferocious Tiger
Often used to ward off evil spirits, paintings of tigers have been popular in Korea since ancient times.
Most paintings feature some kind of naturalistic background elements, such as bamboo or pine trees, but, unusually, this one allows the tiger to fill the page.
Ten-Story Pagoda from Gyeongcheonsa Temple (Goryeo, 1348年(dated 1348)) by UnknownNational Museum of Korea
Ten-story Stone Pagoda
Made of marble, this ten-story stone pagoda was erected at Gyeongcheonsa Temple in Gaeseong in 1348, the fourth year of the reign of King Chungmok. This stone pagoda was closely modelled after full-size wooden architecture, and each story is expertly carved with Buddhist images
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The platform is sculpted with scenes from Xiyouji (Journey to the West), as well as lions, dragons, and lotus flowers. The lower four stories are sculpted with scenes of the Buddha's Assembly, while the upper six stories are sculpted with images of Buddha with both hands clasped.
Album of Genre Paintings (1745/1806) by Kim Hong-doKorea Data Agency
Kim Hong-do, Album of Genre Paintings
Kim Hong-do was a famous painter of genre scenes during the Joseon Dynasty. This album of paintings collects together scenes from daily life, from the schoolroom to the rice paddy. Here, a group of men travel home from the market, happily smoking as they go.
Album of Genre Paintings (1745/1806) by Kim Hong-doKorea Data Agency
A group of washerwomen are beating the stains from clothes, while one takes a break to comb and plait her hair.
Unknown to them, a man is hidden behind a rock, hoping to catch a glimpse.
Album of Genre Paintings (1745/1806) by Kim Hong-doKorea Data Agency
In a scene as old as art itself, a group of gentlemen gather round to admire a scroll painting. Perhaps Hong had his own work in mind as he painted this.
Translated Vase (2009) by Yee, SookyungKorean Art Museum Association
