Daegu National Museum

Ok...time for a Korean Art history lesson. I apologize in advance, but for most of you this post will be really boring haha. There are no pictures of anyone, just a lot of museum stuff. I went to Daegu to check out the museum one weekend. It was a pretty small gallery, but it had some nice artifacts. Most of the objects are from around the western part of Gyeongbuk Province dating from the Neolithic to about the 5th and sixth centuries. This a pot from the neolithic period. If you look closely you can see the scratches in the clay usually called a comb pattern. This pattern was frequently used to decorate pottery in Korea (as well as other parts of the world). The v shaped form was common on the western coast of the country. 

As time went on, ceramic technology and design developed. People fired the pots at higher temperatures which made the clay harder and more durable. The jars now have long necks and rounded bottoms that may have been influenced by Chinese techniques during the Early Iron Age. The clay is finer giving the pot a much smoother texture than the comb patterned wares. Potters fired with an open kiln (like a bonfire) and used dung to create a smoky black surface.

These pots date around (0-300 CE) just before the start of the Three kingdoms period. They have ox horn shaped handles and were probably used for funerary purposes.

Bronze lion shaped belt buckle.

A crown from the Three Kingdoms Period. This was one of the most prestigious objects of this era. Usually made of gold, it  was a symbol of both power and wealth.

The development of Buddhism took place during the Shilla Dynasty centering around the city of Gyeongju. This standing Buddha was found in Gumi!! It dates to the early part of the 8th century. I should buy a shovel and try out my archeologist skills...

Seated Buddha..or maybe a Bodhisattva (an enlightened being who was nice enough to stay around and help other attain enlightenment instead of leaving the earthly realm.) I can't remember which.

Old book with Hangul and characters.

Silk embroidery.

Silk embroidered wedding robe for a bride. Well I'm glad you made it though my small tour of the Daegu National Museum. But don't worry because there are more museums to come! I had summer vacation so guess what I spent most of my time doing....