Analysis of Lacquer Coating Found from Daesungdong No.88 Tomb of Gimhae

Abstract

Herein, we present the results of the analysis of a lacquer coating fragment excavated from 'Daesungdong No.88 tomb of Gimhae'. We observed the fragment with an optical microscope and used scanning electron microscopyenergy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) as well as Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy analysis to determine the structure of the lacquer coating and the technique used for coating. The sample was identified as a Moksim Jophy Lacquer. It is made from wood, painted with textile fabric and coated with soil clay. The SEM-EDS analysis revealed residues of bone meal at the bottom part of the sheath layer. The incorporation of bone meal in a lacquer coating layer is one of the characteristics of the Han Dynasty, and was also found in the Nangnang Region and the United Silla Dynasty. Inside the sword sheath is a specific adherent structure of silk fabric, the same type of leguminous plant found in another sword sheath excavated from the Eastern Han-tomb of Xi'an. Results constitute the latest information about lacquer ware found in the southern district of the Korean peninsula. Moreover, the findings shed light on an international relationship with Kumkwan-Kaya where the sword sheath was produced.

Lacquer Techniques in the Late Joseon Dynasty

“…The research results showed that the lacquerware technique was similar to that of the ancient time during the Goryeo Dynasty; however, it was simplified as it was varnished directly on wooden objects (Lee and Okada, 2016;Lim and Okada, 2018;Yi, 2010;Yi et al, 2014Yi et al, , 2000.…”

“…5, FT-IR peaks of urushiol polymer, which was the main component of lacquer, were detected as follows: 3,600-3,200 cm -1 (absorption peaks from hydroxyl group), 2,925 cm -1 , 2,854 cm -1 (stretching vibration from the methylene group), 1,634 cm -1 (stretching vibration from C = C coupling), 1,456 cm -1 (banding vibration from the methylene group), 989 cm -1 (con-jugated triene), 858 cm -1 (1,2,3,5-substituted benzene), 720 cm -1 (main characteristic of urushiol polymer from 1,2,3-trisubstituted benzene; Cho et al, 2010;Choi and Kim, 2018;Kim, 2007;Lee, 2021). Compared with the results of previous studies conducted on lacquer FT-IR analysis (Hwang et al, 2018;Kim et al, 2010;Lee and Han, 2017;Lim and Okada, 2018;Park et al, 2020a . FTIR spectrum for lacquer and cashew (4,000 cm -1 -400 cm -1 ).…”

Conservation of the Lacquer Artifacts Excavated from Suchon‐ri, Gongju, Korea

“…In this paper, we discuss scientific analysis and conservation treatment of the lacquered artifacts excavated from the Suchon-ri, Gongju. Although studies on conservation treatment of lacquered artifacts (Lee and Han, 2017;Lim and Fumio, 2018) exist, conservation cases of threedimensional lacquered artifacts, especially those with lacquer layers only with a loss of the object under the layers, are rare; therefore, we discuss practical issues that emerged during conservation treatment of the artifacts in this paper.…”