Angyeongjip
Spectacle Case (Angyeongjip)
1900 - 1930 (made)
1900 - 1930 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
The case is made from a piece of wood, which has been hollowed out and covered with green sharkskin and coated with a thin layer of shellac (lacquer melted into thin flakes and used as varnish). Attached to the top of the case is a black draw string, which prevents the lid from becoming detached from the main container. Two narrow brass plates attached to the edge of the lid, protect and strengthen the case when opened. There is also a small brass ring attached to the bottom of the container.
A spectacle case such as this formed part of the possessions of a Korean gentleman. It would have been worn attached to the belt along with a tobacco pouch and other personal articles.
A spectacle case such as this formed part of the possessions of a Korean gentleman. It would have been worn attached to the belt along with a tobacco pouch and other personal articles.
Object details
| Category | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Angyeongjip (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Wood, sharkskin, brass, cord, and shellac |
| Brief description | Spectacle case, wood and lacquered shagreen; Korea, Joseon, C19 |
| Physical description | The case is made from a piece of wood, which has been hollowed out and covered with green sharkskin and coated with a thin layer of shellac (lacquer melted into thin flakes and used as varnish). Attached to the top of the case is a black draw string, which prevents the lid from becoming detached from the main container. Two narrow brass plates attached to the edge of the lid, protect and strengthen the case when opened. There is also a small brass ring attached to the bottom of the container. A spectacle case such as this formed part of the possessions of a Korean gentleman. It would have been worn attached to the belt along with a tobacco pouch and other personal articles. |
| Dimensions |
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| Style | |
| Gallery label | 3. Status symbols Joseon dynasty (1392–1910) Waist belt made by Sung Nak-Yoon in 1992
The regulated dress codes of the Joseon dynasty reflected its societal hierarchy. Colours, materials and patterns differed according to the wearer’s status. Here, the lavish lacquered fish skin of the spectacles case, angyeongjip, and the purple colour of the waist belt, sejodae, point to an affluent owner or seonbi of high rank. The rank badge, hyungbae, decorated with cranes, also indicates this, and would have been sewn onto a ceremonial garment. Even the pipe’s length demonstrates the seonbi’s status, as a long pipe would need a servant to light it.
Shagreen, lacquer; silk brocade; silk and gilt thread; bamboo and silver
Pipe purchase supported by V&A Members Museum nos. FE.45-1991, T.198-1920, FE.546:1-1992, FE.36-1991(19/01/21) |
| Object history | Purchaed from Han Yang-Tang (Antique Shop), Seoul, Korea. Register entry 17 December 1991. |
| Bibliographic reference | National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage. Korean Art Collection Victoria and Albert Museum. Republic of Korea, 2013.
p. 254
The inner surface of this spectacle case is made of wood, and the outer surface is wrapped with a green-dyed fish skin. A ring is attached both to the body and the lid, and a string is connected to the ring on the lid. |
| Other number | RP 91/2432 - RF number |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | FE.45-1991 |
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| Record created | February 3, 2000 |
| Record URL |
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