Gwijumeoni, silk satin embroidered with silk and gold thread, Korea, late Joseon dynasty, ca.1850-1900

Purse of red silk satin, secured with decorative green knotted cord. It is decorated with multi-coloured embroidery of rocks, waves, lotus flowers and the 'long life' character. Lined with dark blue silk damask (floral pattern).

This pouch carried small belongings when a woman was on an outing. Traditional costumes, or hanbok, do not have pockets, so separate pouches were necessary. This pouch has angular corners, but there are round-corner pouches as well. Used for keeping medicines, this pouch is covered in red on the outside and lined in blue on the inside. The outside is embroidered with lotuses, yeongji mushrooms, and waves, and a button and a green-coloured knot are attached to the folded part.

Given by Queen Mary

Registered File number 1924/5303.

Traditional Korean dress, hanbok, does not have pockets and a purse such as this one was both ornamental and functional. Used by women it is decorated with Buddhist and auspicious motifs embroidered in gold and silk thread. The character 'su', meaning 'long life', has been embroidered in gold above the central lotus flower. An embroidered coin can be seen in the middle of the rocks. Embroidery was a significant aspect of women's life in traditional Korea and a large number of embroidered objects from the late Choson period (1392-1910) have survived till the present day.

T.102-1924