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Description

Figure representing a person on a flat backing of white paper. Front view is depicted of the figure which is made of cloth lightly padded to give a three-dimensional effect having each portion made of a separate piece of cloth with painted details. Face is made of white silk. Has rouged cheeks. Black hair is in bun (paper backing of headdress now missing). Wearing an elaborate blouse of green silk painted with red, and yellow flowers, and a light red-pink silk ribbon belt over a red, and yellow rosette. The sleeves are very full with multi-coloured stripes at the wrists, concealing the hands. Wearing a red silk floor-length skirt. Two pieces of white flannel hemmed in light red-pink silk are glued to the paper backing.

History Of Use

Figure represents a bride, during the late 19th to early 20th centuries. Status as bride is indicated by red skirt, elaborate clothing, cosmetics, and hair combed in bun at nape of neck, which is first done the night before the wedding. Such figures were made during the time when Korea was first open to the outside world (after the mid 1890s), probably as gifts to present to missionaries or other visitors from foreign countries. Flat dolls like these were very popular during the period 1910-20. Before that time, shamans made dolls that they sold to their clients, as images of those the clients wanted to exorcise. Simple dolls were made of straw for children to play with. After Korea opened, people began to see dolls as artistic objects. They were made in workshops by masters, using authentic fabrics whenever possible, as their purpose was to introduce foreigners to Korean society.
Such clothes, headdress “Hwa-gwan”, and makeup (painted or pasted shapes on forehead and cheeks) might be worn by a bride. They are modeled on court dress worn by princesses. The green upper garment “Won-sam” with rainbow striped “Saek-dong” sleeves are like those worn by princesses, but the sash of a princess would tie in the back, not the front. The upper garment would have floral embroidery, and the ends of the sash would be stamped with gold. Such clothes and ornaments could also be worn by a dancer, as there is a dance that features this kind of robe.

Narrative

Collected by J. H. Morris while he was chief engineer for Seoul Railway, Korea.

Specific Techniques

The clothing was stitched around the edge and then a layer was added inside the clothing. Each section was separately applied and pasted in place. The details were finely painted.

Iconographic Meaning

In the Chosun Dynasty, the red spots on women’s faces symbolized exorcism, the expelling of devils.

Item History

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