Koreans are known for their humbleness at an individual level and fierce nationalism in catching up with the technological world.
The world woke up to Korea when it successfully hosted the Olympics and the Football World Cup. It has a lot more to offer and takes pride in its rich cultural and artistic heritage.
The National Museum is one of the largest, ranked 6th in the world and most high -tech museum in the world. It has the most comprehensive outlay housing about 11,000 work of art, spread out as an open plaza, outdoor exhibition, Archaeological Gallery, Cultural space, Historical gallery and several art galleries besides the children museum etc.
You can get digital guides (PDA) and audio guides (MP3) and even mobile rentals, but do reserve online a day before. It is best covered in several visits or you can watch the video online by visiting the national museum virtually. It was wonderful to experience Korean Art and History virtually at the official site
Here is a list of what you should not miss in case you are going and want to see the real treasures.
Top Works at the National Museum Of Korea
1. Bangasayusang
Considered the finest Buddhist Sculpture ever produced. Probably from Baekje but others contest Silla. It is made of bronze and once gold plated. The statue of contemplative Buddha originate in India and spread to China , Korea and Japan. The appearance is lively smile, a lifelike expression, and putting its right leg on its left knee like Bodhisattva. There is perfect harmony between upper and lower figure and the pleated cloth is flowing so naturally. The hand and foot are in fine motion.
National Treasure #83,
Period: Early 7th century.
Height: 93.5 cm.
2. Celandon Incense Burner
This piece demonstrates outstanding harmony and balance. Free from Chinese influence it’s unique in glaze, design, and pattern. Its color is a new clean green glaze called Bisaek. It shows great mastering of carving technique like inlaid work, Tugak , modeling, embossment and intaglio.
National Treasure # 95.
Period: Goryeo/12th century.
Height: 15.3 cm.
3. Silla Golden Crown
Of all the crowns excavated only 10 are whole and 8 come from Korea. This is the most popular exhibit and known for its lavish use of jade. It has three tree shaped stem with three-stairs in front and two anther-shaped stem with ornaments on either side in rear and on main rim with six hanging ornaments. The frame has a wave shaped design on both top and bottom.
National Treasure # 191.
Period: Three Kingdoms.
Height: 27.5cm.
4. Gilt- Bronze Incense Burner of Barkji
It represents the artistic talent and spiritual world of the period. Influenced by Chinese prototype and incorporates Buddhist and Taoist themes. The dragon and phoenix suggests a yin and yang motif and used likely for ancestral rites or unique ceremonies. The lid is encircled by 74 mountains, thinly cast in five layers. There are figures of 39 animals 5 musicians 16 figures and harmonized by 16 types of trees a lake and nature symbolizing ideal landscape. The body is a form of a blossoming lotus each petal containing 26 animals like fish, birds and heavenly beast. The support plate is dragon shaped with the mouth facing the base of the body. The dragon is surrounded by a blowing bronze motif of a cloud and its tail is arched giving base a sense of movement.
National Treasure # 287.
Period: 6th century.
Height: 64 cm.
5. Pottery Vessel in the form of mounted warriorA valuable to research folklore, design, and craft .A cup, fixed on rumps of horse, it has a hole pierced and spout is projected from breast part of horse.
It may have been used for transporting the dead to the world of the dead in ceremonies. On rectangular plate, the warrior mounts a horse with a set of harness such as hanging ornament. The difference in clothes of the two warrior indicate the better made as master and the shabbily made as servant.
National Treasur #91.
Period. Three kingdom.
Height: 23.5 cm main and 21.3 cm small.
6. Gyeongcheonsa Temple Ten story Stone PagodaThe Pagoda originally found at the foot of Mt. Busco, was taken to Japan during its occupation but returned in 1960. The Pagoda has 10 stories and 3 tired foundations often confused foe 13 stories. It projects in four directions like a cross. Each panel is engraved with Buddha’s, bodhisattva, flowers and arabesque patterns. It is made of marble when granite was used and wood that shows Goryeo era’s wooden architecture style that is now lost.
National Treasure # 86.
Period1348.
Height:13 meters.
Comb Pattern pottery
A half- egg shaped pottery from Neolithic Age. It was excavated from the Yellow sea.
There are seven cramp patterns on the rim each different, a diamond shape, a saw blade shape and a fish bone shape design. The bottom has no design just a trace. The lowest end has five holes pierced; wonder what it was used for?
