Angbuilgu(2022-2)

Basic information

Designation

Treasure No.2160

Category

Craft

Era

1713년 이후 추정

Designated year

2022

Location

용산구, 서울특별시— 서울특별시 용산구 서빙고로 137 (용산동6가, 국립중앙박물관)

Coordinates

37.523500, 126.980100Museum-based location

This English description was machine-translated and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the original Korean text for details.

Angbu Ilgu is an upturned-bowl-shaped sundial, also called Angbu Ilying, signifying a cauldron appearing to gaze skyward. In 1434, Jang Yeong-sil, Lee Cheon, and Lee Sunjee created the first examples under King Sejong's royal commission, installing one each at the Temple of Ancestors and Hyejung Bridge in October. These astronomical instruments were subsequently manufactured in various designs and widely distributed throughout the Joseon palace system and government offices until the dynasty's final period. Early Joseon examples have not been discovered to date. Surviving angbu ilgu instruments bear inscribed latitude data of 37 degrees 39 minutes 15 seconds, which documentary evidence establishes was first employed after 1713. This inscription date estimation confirms production occurred after King Sukjong's 39th reign year. Currently, approximately ten angbu ilgu examples remain in Korea; three specimens housed in the National Palace Museum, Gyeongju National Museum, and Sungshin Women's University Museum share nearly identical specifications, suggesting a single master craftsman's creation. The Gyeongju Museum example differs notably in orientation of inscriptions compared to the Palace Museum specimen. These sophisticated scientific instruments display exemplary assembly riveting and silver inlay techniques, featuring hemispherical cauldron forms with time-marking hour lines and seasonal calibrations in precious metal inlay.

Location