Rain Gauge Pedestal of Imunwon hall

Basic information

Designation

National Treasure No.331

Category

Sites & Pagodas

Era

1782년(조선 정조 6년)

Designated year

2020

Location

종로구, 서울특별시— 서울 종로구 효자로 12, 국립고궁박물관 (세종로,국립고궁박물관)

Coordinates

37.578800, 126.977000Museum-based location

The rain gauge pedestal (National Treasure No. 331) was placed at Imunwon Hall of Changdeokgung Palace at the command of King Jeongjo in 1782 (the 6th year of the reign of King Jeongjo). The stand is made of marble, which was widely used in production of objects for the royal family, and is inscribed with letters exquisitely carved by a skilled craftsman. It was moved from the palace to the Gyeongseong (present-day Seoul) Museum around 1910, then to Myeongjeongjeon Hall at Changgyeonggung Palace, and again to the Gungjung Museum of Deoksugung Palace, before finally being transferred to its current location at the National Palace Museum of Korea. It is a precious artifact that shows that the country’s first rain gauge/pedestal made for agricultural purposes in 1442 (the 24th year of the reign of King Sejong) remained in use until the late Joseon Period. It is worth considering the designation of both this pedestal, which used to be kept at the Chungcheong Provincial Office in Gongju, and the one that used to be kept at the Gyeongsang Provincial Office in Daegu as National Treasures in order to publicize the excellence of the country’s ancient scientific achievements around the world.

Location