A Wedding Day in Autumn, 1837 - Hangeul Materials Related to Princess Deogon

기간

2016.09.13.(화) ~ 2016.12.18.(일)
장소

Special Exhibition Hall

Introduction

This exhibition introduces Hangeul materials on Princess Deogon (1822-1844) who is the last princess of the Joseon dynasty and the youngest daughter of King Sunjo (r. 1800-1834) and Queen Sunwon (1789-1857). We hope that visitors would feel the mother’s love inscribed in each and every character of the Hangeul materials on the wedding day 180 years ago. What’s more, we expect more in-depth research to be carried out on the Hangeul materials which have not yet been thoroughly studied.

Part 1

Part 1 : The Wedding Ceremony of Princess Deogon in 1837
The Princess got married to Yun Uiseon (1823-1887), the son of Yun Chiseung at the age of 16 in 1837. During the Joseon dynasty, a princess would normally get married around 12 years of age. However, her father, King Sunjo passed away in 1834 when she was 13, which was why her marriage was delayed by three years of mourning period.

Queen Sunwon took charge of her daughter's wedding preparation. What she had prepared reveals the love of a mother who has put every effort for the wedding of her youngest and the only surviving daughter. Part 1 of the exhibition introduces the list of wedding gifts, furniture and kitchen utensils necessary for housekeeping that Queen Sunwon prepared for her daughter, Princess Deogon, and her son-in-law, Yun Uiseon.

▲ List of Wedding Items Given by Queen Sunwon to Princess Deogon / 1837 / 541.5cm

▲ List of Wedding Items Given by Queen Sunwon to her son-in-law Yun Ui-seon / 1837 / 203.5cm
Part 2

Part 2: The Life of Princess Deogon after Marriage
Princess Deogon's home was located in Jeo-dong (at present, Jung-gu district in Seoul) and hence called 'Jeo-dong-gung' palace. During the Joseon dynasty, a married woman should live with her in-laws in principal. However, a princess could start her married life in a new house separate from the in-law's house. Today, various books which Princess Deogon has brought from her mother's home and writings which seem to be her own are handed down.

In addition, it was difficult for Princess Deogon to make frequent visits to her mother after marriage. This is why Queen Sunwon sent many Hangeul letters to her daughter and son-in-law, and it is these letters which make it possible to guess what the Princess Deogon's marriage might have been like.

▲ Divination Signs / 19^th century / 71.2cm

▲ Hangeul Letter of Queen Sunwon / ca. 1838~1843 / 36.7×22.5cm

▲ List of food offerings offered by Queen Sunwon for Princess Deogon’s funeral service / 1845 / 160cm

Photo

담당부서 : 전시운영과 (전화번호 : 02-2124-6324, 6327, 6335)

A Wedding Day in Autumn, 1837 - Hangeul Materials Related to Princess Deogon

Introduction

Part 1

Part 2

Photo