In the future, rarity will undoubtedly remain a defining source of value. In this context, the most compelling way to assert national identity will be through the unique cultural heritage possessed by respective countries. This study explores traditio...
In the future, rarity will undoubtedly remain a defining source of value. In this context, the most compelling way to assert national identity will be through the unique cultural heritage possessed by respective countries. This study explores traditional Korean silver ornaments-which is conventionally approached as tangible heritage-from a broader perspective, positioning them within the scope of intangible cultural heritage. Drawing on the 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, the study examines both the traditional and the contemporary silver ornaments housed in the Dongduk Women's University Museum in terms of their tangible and intangible characteristics. The rationale for approaching silver ornaments from an intangible heritage perspective lies in exploring the enduring traditional techniques and materials used in their creation that have remained consistent over time despite the evolution of the decorative design elements. Although not a physical attribute, traditionality refers to enduring customs passed down through generations and should thus be examined from an intangible heritage viewpoint. As a type of craft, silver ornaments represent a unique component of Korean culture that has evolved as a form of intangible heritage. In other words, intangible heritage has been shaped by and continually integrated into daily life. To understand Korea's intangible heritage, it is essential to examine the lifestyles of the past. Accordingly, this study focuses on silver ornaments as a form of traditional craft that embodies the cultural values and aesthetic sensibilities of Korea. Research on silver ornaments has long been limited by a lack of both artifacts and scholarly attention. To overcome this constraint, the present study analyzes silver ornaments from the late Joseon Dynasty in the Dongduk Women's University Museum collection along with modern reproductions by contemporary artisans. Through analysis of the materials and production methods, literature review, and fieldwork, the study aims to expand the scope of existing research on silver ornaments.
The study begins by exploring the historical context of the silver ornaments worn by women during the modern era (following the Joseon Dynasty). It surveys the formal characteristics of women's accessories in public and private museums and their collection status. It also investigates the current status and artistic features of women's accessories housed in the Dongduk Women's University Museum in order to illuminate the current status of silver ornaments in Korea. It then examines the materials and techniques applied in traditional and contemporary silver ornaments through scientific analysis to determine similarities and differences.
Drawing upon compositional analysis, the study investigates the base and decorative materials through literature and field studies. In particular, to facilitate the understanding of silver (the base material for silver accessories), it examines the traditional and modern mining and smelting processes of silver and the types and grades of silver produced. Through this, it was confirmed that silver mining in traditional times was strictly overseen by the state for the purpose of avoiding the obligation to pay tribute to the Ming Dynasty in China, and that silver mining was conducted within a framework of gold and silver regulations. It was confirmed that the number of people engaged in the mining industry decreased in the modern era, leading to a decline in silver production, and that most of the silver used in ornament production is recycled materials obtained through urban mining. Moreover, the study identifies materials used in traditional ornaments such as hairpins (binyeo), pendants (norigae), and rings, the details of which were previously undocumented. It also reconstructs the manufacturing techniques used for these ornaments through the reproduction processes performed by contemporary artisans, inferring their technical plausibility through empirical observations and theoretical explorations.
Lastly, the study analyzes the training logs from skill transmission programs to examine the typology of the materials and tools involved, while also introducing diverse modern reinterpretations of silver ornaments. This highlights the significance of silver ornaments as intangible heritage that bridges the past and future.
This approach reaffirms the importance of craft as a creative endeavor that harmonizes utility and beauty through human intervention. Despite the challenges posed by the Japanese colonial era and the period of rapid industrialization, times that threatened the continuity of traditional techniques, the study confirms that the legacy of Korean silverwork is being sustained through the efforts of contemporary artisans.