Rare Joseon-era spherical sundial unveiled to public

The Korea Times

The Korea Times

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Sun, December 10, 2023 | 01:04

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Rare Joseon-era spherical sundial unveiled to public

Posted : 2022-08-18 17:16

Updated : 2022-08-21 10:41

Choi Eung-chon, head of the Cultural Heritage Administration, speaks during a press event to unveil "Iryeongwongu" at the National Palace Museum in Seoul, Thursday. Yonhap

By Kwak Yeon-soo

The "Iryeongwongu," a portable spherical sundial from the 1392-1910 Joseon Kingdom era, has been unveiled to the public after returning from the United States, the Cultural Heritage Administration (CHA) said Thursday.

The CHA and the Overseas Korean Cultural Heritage Foundation purchased the rare relic at an auction in the U.S. in March.

The bronze globe sundial is believed to have been produced in 1890 by Sang Jik-hyeon, a military officer, under King Gojong's reign, as the inscription on the repatriated item reads, "It was newly produced at the beginning of the seventh lunar month of the gyeongin year, corresponding to the 499th year of the founding of the Joseon Kingdom."

It measures 11.2 centimeters in diameter and 23.8 centimeters in height. The use of elaborate metal casting methods, refined silver inlay decoration, designs of a dragon, a sailing ship, and the Chinese characters meaning the sun and moon, and other features, attest to the advanced level of science and artistry measuring time in Korea in that period.

A bronze globe sundial called "Iryeongwongu" was unveiled at the National Palace Museum in Seoul, Thursday. Courtesy of Cultural Heritage Administration

"The Iryeongwongu carries historical and scientific value as its producer and production date can be confirmed through the featured inscription and seal. It also demonstrates the advancement of science and technology of the Joseon Kingdom," a CHA official said.

Lee Yong-sam, a professor of astronomy at Chungbuk National University, explained how the returned Iryeongwongu differs from other conventional sundials produced during the Joseon era.

"Sundials produced during the Joseon Kingdom are generally hemispherical. They tell the time through the shadow cast over its cauldron-shaped body based on the sun's position, allowing it to be measured only at a single location," he said.

"However, the Iryeongwongu was made in the shape of a sphere. The rare relic was designed to allow the measurement of time in different regions by adjusting the body (comprised of two attached hemispheres) and a bar attached to the sphere," he said.

A bronze globe sundial called "Iryeongwongu" was unveiled at the National Palace Museum in Seoul, Thursday. Courtesy of Cultural Heritage Administration

One of the hemispheres is marked with 96 vertical lines and an inscription of the 12 animals of the zodiac as an indication of time. These markings are in accordance with the time system used during the late Joseon Kingdom that divided the day into 12 hours and 96 "gak" (with one gak equaling 15 minutes). Moreover, below the noon mark is a round hole known as a "sibochang."

The "Jagyeongnu," a self-striking water clock invented during the Joseon Kingdom, and the "Honcheonsigye," an armillary clock, both of which have been designated as national treasures, were also equipped with devices indicating time in accordance with the 12 animals of the zodiac system.

The design shows that the Iryeongwongu inherited the science and technology of the Joseon Kingdom, but with its portable size, resembling a small globe, it was also designed for use in other countries, as there was increasing demand for foreign trade at the time, according to the CHA.

The returned spherical sundial will be displayed at the special exhibition, "Treasures of Ours, Treasured by Others: Journey of Korean Cultural Heritage," held at the National Palace Museum of Korea until Sept. 25.

yeons.kwak@koreatimes.co.kr