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      Korean Art

      Hailed as one of the most important in the United States, PEM’s Korean collection is dominated by works from the late Joseon Dynasty.

      Korean Art

      PEM’s Korean collection is important for both its historical significance and its contents.

      One of the earliest collections of Korean art and culture in an American museum, PEM’s collection is dominated by works from the late Joseon Dynasty (1392–1910).

      Some of these early works are directly linked to Yu Kiljun (1856–1914), who served as the youngest member of the first official delegation from Korea to the United States in 1883 and would go on to become a prominent politician. Upon completion of his official state duties in 1883, Yu remained in the U.S., living and working in Salem for over a year while he studied English and advised museum director Edward Sylvester Morse on the collection. Yu gifted some of his personal belongings to the museum.

      He also consulted with Morse on a group of 225 Korean objects acquired from the collection of Count Paul G. von Möllendorff, a diplomat and advisor to King Gojong (r. 1863–1907). In 1883 Morse met von Möllendorff in Shanghai, and requested that he purchase Korean objects on the museum’s behalf.

      Morse proactively pursued other Korean acquisitions during his tenure, including a group of nine Korean musical instruments exhibited at the World’s Columbian Exposition of 1893, also known as the World’s Fair. A few years later, Charles Goddard Weld assisted with the purchase of Korean works for PEM from Dr. Gustavus Goward, a diplomat who served in Korea, Japan and other parts of the Pacific Rim. In the early 20th century, PEM purchased nearly 100 Korean pieces from the Boston branch of the art and antiquities dealer Yamanaka and Company.

      PEM’s collection also emphasizes works that reflect the prominence of Korean women artists and artisans in textiles, basketry and paper-mache objects. The collection continues to grow thanks to important acquisitions such as a Nectar Ritual painting, a magnificent example of a Korean religious painting combining aspects of Buddhist ritual practice with Confucian honoring of ancestors.

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      Highlights from this collection

      Portrait of Yu Giljun, 19th century

      ON VIEW

      Portrait of Yu Giljun, 19th century

      A. B. Cross Photography Studio, Salem, Massachusetts

      On view in Salem Stories.

      Fan (taegeukseon), 19th century

      ON VIEW

      Fan (taegeukseon), 19th century

      Artist in Korea

      On view in Salem Stories.

      Village guardian posts (jangseung), late 19th century

      ON VIEW

      Village guardian posts (jangseung), late 19th century

      Artists in Korea

      On view in the Garden Atrium.

      Hat (gat), before 1883
      Hat (gat), before 1883

      Artist in Korea

      On view in Salem Stories.

      Moon jar, 2003
      Moon jar, 2003

      Young Sook Park (b. 1947, Korean)

      Free reed wind instrument (saenghwang), 19th century

      ON VIEW

      Free reed wind instrument (saenghwang), 19th century

      Artist in Korea

      On view in Salem Stories.

      Portrait of Yu Giljun, 19th century
      Portrait of Yu Giljun, 19th century

      A. B. Cross Photography Studio, Salem, Massachusetts, Portrait of Yu Giljun, 19th century. Photographic print. Phillips Library. Edward Sylvester Morse Papers. E2, box 88 3 Japan, ETH000031.

      On view in Salem Stories.

      Fan (taegeukseon), 19th century
      Fan (taegeukseon), 19th century

      Artist in Korea, Fan (taegeukseon), 19th century. Paper, lacquer, and wood. Gift of Dr. Charles Goddard Weld, 1899. E9812.

      On view in Salem Stories.

      Bridal robe (hwarot), late 18th century
      Bridal robe (hwarot), late 18th century

      Artists in Korea, Bridal robe (hwarot), late 18th century. Silk, paper, cotton, wool, and metallic thread. Gift of Yamanaka and Company, 1927. E20190.F. Photo by Dennis Helmar.

      Village guardian posts (jangseung), late 19th century
      Village guardian posts (jangseung), late 19th century

      Artists in Korea, Village guardian posts (jangseung), late 19th century. Wood, pigment. Gift of Yamanaka and Company, in memory of Professor Edward S. Morse, 1930. E20809, E20810. Photo by Dennis Helmar.

      On view in the Garden Atrium.

      Nectar Ritual (gamnotaeng) hanging scroll, 1744
      Nectar Ritual (gamnotaeng) hanging scroll, 1744

      Artists in Korea, Nectar Ritual (gamnotaeng) hanging scroll, 1744. Ink and pigment on silk. Museum purchase, made possible by an anonymous donor, 2004. E302324.

      Hat (gat), before 1883
      Hat (gat), before 1883

      Artist in Korea, Hat (gat), before 1883. Hair, lacquer, and bamboo. Gift of Yu Giljun, 1883. E1573.

      On view in Salem Stories.

      Noblewoman’s bridal fan (jinjuseon), 18th century
      Noblewoman’s bridal fan (jinjuseon), 18th century

      Artist in Korea, Noblewoman’s bridal fan (jinjuseon), 18th century. Embroidered silk and metal fittings. Museum purchase. 1927. E20165. Photo by Dennis Helmar

      Eight-panel screen with Confucian virtue and scholar’s accoutrements painting (munjado chaekkori), late 19th century
      Eight-panel screen with Confucian virtue and scholar’s accoutrements painting (munjado chaekkori), late 19th century

      Artists in Chejudo, Korea, Eight-panel screen with Confucian virtue and scholar’s accoutrements painting (munjado chaekkori), late 19th century. Ink and color on paper. Museum purchase, made possible by an anonymous donor, 2000. E300529.

      Wrapping cloth (bojagi), 20th century
      Wrapping cloth (bojagi), 20th century

      Artist in Korea, Wrapping cloth (bojagi), 20th century. Ramie. Museum purchase, made possible by the Toplitz Hilborn Memorial Fund, 2001. E301728.

      Rank badge with two cranes and clouds for a civil official, 19th century
      Rank badge with two cranes and clouds for a civil official, 19th century

      Artist in Korea, Rank badge with two cranes and clouds for a civil official, 19th century. Embroidered silk threads on silk damask. Gift of Gustavus Goward, 1899. E9785.

      Moon jar, 2003
      Moon jar, 2003

      Young Sook Park (b. 1947, Korean), Moon jar, 2003. Porcelain. Gift of YSP Gallery. 2017.54.1.

      Dragon jar, late 19th century
      Dragon jar, late 19th century

      Artists in Korea, Dragon jar, late 19th century. Porcelain. Gift of Kang Collection, Korean Art, New York, 2004. E302330. Photo by Dennis Helmar

      Free reed wind instrument (saenghwang), 19th century
      Free reed wind instrument (saenghwang), 19th century

      Artist in Korea, Free reed wind instrument (saenghwang), 19th century. Bamboo, rattan, wood, and bone. Museum purchase from the World's Columbian Exhibition, Chicago, 1893. E9796.

      On view in Salem Stories.

      Lute (biwa), 19th century
      Lute (biwa), 19th century

      Artist in Korea, Lute (biwa), 19th century. Wood, composite, and cotton. Museum purchase from the World's Columbian Exhibition, Chicago, 1893. E9801.

      Loans and acquisitions

      Loans and acquisitions

      PEM is committed to providing the broadest possible access to its collection through the loan of objects for educational and scholarly purposes. Learn how to request a loan from the museum’s collection.

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