Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Museums again!!





This time is not a Korean museum, is the British Museum in London, where my sis is currently living at...she was kind enough to help me with this blog since she just went to the Museum (Actually she just sent me pictures of it,,,,but I asked her to write something for the blog lol) so...  Thanks sis!!!!!! :) luv ya!
For more info about the museum/exhibit click HERE

The British Museum’s (in London, England) collection covers over 5,000 years of Korean art and archaeology, from prehistory to contemporary, from ornate ritual objects to everyday folk arts.

The unique culture of Korea combines a strong sense of national identity with influences from other parts of the Far East. Korean religion, language, geography and everyday life were directly affected by the country’s geographic position, resulting in a rich mix of art and artefacts.

Objects on display in Room 67 at the British Museum date from prehistory to the present day and include ceramics, metalwork, sculpture, painting, screen-printed books and illuminated manuscripts.


A reconstruction of a traditional Sarangbang, or scholar’s study, is also on display and was built by contemporary Korean craftsmen.White porcelain wares, redolent of Confucian philosophy, form part of the collection as well.



The Korean peninsula – currently divided into the countries of North Korea and South Korea – lies between China, Russia and Japan in East Asia. This geographical fact has played a crucial role not only in establishing Korea’s diverse cultural heritage, but also in the development of East Asian culture and art.


In AD seventh century, the various states of the peninsula were unified for the first time under the Silla Kingdom (57 BC-AD 935). During this period, great achievements in historiography, mathematics, astronomy, metal works and technology of woodblock printing were made. Active cultural exchange and trade with China and Central Asia contributed to a more diverse society, whose achievements spilled over into Japan.





Religion has exerted a profound influence on the arts and way of life in Korea. Buddhism was introduced to Korea through China in 372 AD and soon many Buddhist temples and sculptures were built. The collection’s lacquered sutra box, used to contain Buddhist scriptures, exemplifies the significance of Buddhism and characteristic of the refined craftsmanship in the thirteenth century Koryo period. During the Choson dynasty (1392 -1910), Confucianism, with its tenets of frugality and self-cultivation, was followed by scholars.


"Dhratarastra, Guardian King of the East, a painting on hemp cloth, late 18th - early 19th century AD "


Hope you like it!!!! if you do, please let me know so I can ask my sis to contribute more lol

-Gisela V.

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