′Mother-of-pearl inlaid Heukchil Samcheungjang′ returns to South Korea

'Mother-of-pearl inlaid Heukchil Samcheungjang' returns to South Korea: Heritage / 연합뉴스 / 2023-02-13 10:28:34

▲This photo provided by Pai Chai Museum show photo of 'Mother of Pearl Inlaid Heukchil Samcheungjang.' (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

▲This photo provided by Pai Chai Museum show photo of 'Mother of Pearl Inlaid Heukchil Samcheungjang' from 1960. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

▲This photo provided by Pai Chai Museum show photo of 'Mother of Pearl Inlaid Heukchil Samcheungjang' and family of Diane Chrome. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

SEOUL February 13 (Yonhap) -- Mother-of-pearl inlaid Heukchil Samcheungjang which was awarded to creator of “PaiChai School” Henry Gerhart Appenzeller has returned to South Korea after 130 years. The black lacquer background is harmonized with the brilliant color of abalone shells.

PaiChai Museum addressed on February 11, Appenzeller’s granddaughter Dian Chrome has donated “Heukchil Samcheungjang’s Mother of Pearl inlaid craft” on December of 2022.

Diane Chrome is daughter of Henry Gerhart Appenzeller’s second daughter Aida

According to the museum, “Heukchil Samcheungjang” has been safely kept by Aida, and later on inherited to her son and daughter.

By carefully analyzing the Appenzeller family tree, photographic documents and various other documentation, the “Heukchil Samcheungjang” was given to Henry Appenzeller by King Gojong, to award his dedication in modernization of Korean education system.

Diane Chrome who contacted the Paichai Museum by email stating her intention of donating the “Heukchil Samcheungjan.”

“Since I was a child, it has always been in the living room, so I drew it in my sketchbook, and whenever my friends came, I boasted that it was a gift from Korea, but it will shine more when I am in Korea than when my family keeps it.” adding “I hope many people can appreciate it and honor the spirit Henry Appenzeller,” addressed Diane Chrome through Email.

Diane Chrome who works at a museum located within Delaware addressed “Preservation process of the precious relic and items are very important in order to exhibit the item for extra 100 years,” adding “I Hope the museum will provide love and care for the donated item.”

Heukchil Samcheungjang is expected to have been created during the 19th century.

According to the researchers, “Although there are some damages done to the item, however it is in a good shape,” adding “This item withholds, great importance because it showcases well mixed aspects of modern and traditional aspect of Mother of Pearl inlaid.”

Choi Gong-ho, former professor of Korea National University of Cultural Heritage addressed “’Heukchil Samcheungjang’ which has Height 180.3 cm, width 114.9 cm, length 54.6 cm serves as one of the representative relics from the 19th century.”

Throughout the years, Royal family of Joseon has given out various objects such as ceramics, gold bracelets, hand mirrors, and more to showcase their gratitude to various foreign missionaries. However Heukchil Samcheungjang will be the first mother of pearl inlaid object awarded to missionaries.

Representative of PaiChai Museum, Kim Jong-hun addressed “As King Gojong was the one to name the school PaiChai School, and personally gifted the school with its signboard, ‘Heukchil Samcheungjang’ showcases how interested King Gojong was regarding the subject of education.”

After preservation process, the “Heukchil Samcheungjang” will be showcased at the special exhibition at the PaiChai Museum within the second half of 2023.