Guksae Jegojibo

Basic information

Designation

Treasure No.1618-6

Category

Books & Records

Era

1897년(광무1)

Designated year

2021

Location

전주시, 전북특별자치도— 전북특별자치도 전주시

Coordinates

No precise coordinates are available, so this item is not shown as a map marker. To be added later.

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

The National Seal 'Jegojibo' (Imperial Mandate Seal) was created as one of ten Great Korean Empire national seals when King Gojong proclaimed the Korean Empire and ascended as emperor in 1897, crafted on September 19, 1897, by sealmakers Jeon Heung-gil and colleagues for documents issued under the Emperor's command or for imperial appointments. Jeon Heung-gil demonstrated exceptional skill in gold-seal production over forty-seven years from 1851 through 1897, representing the representative sealmaker of the late nineteenth century. Since 'Jegyo' signifies 'imperial command,' this seal could only be utilized under the Korean Empire with an emperor, never under the Joseon monarchy. Transferred to the U.S. Military Administration on August 15, 1946, then delivered to the National Central Museum by the General Affairs Bureau on June 28, 1954, where it has remained under museum care. The Jegojibo's manufacturing process is documented in detail in the Great Ceremony Ritual Manual. Emperor Gojong established the 'Imperial Seal Production Bureau' with Sim Soon-taek as chief producer; Han-gwan scholar Min Byung-suk, specializing in seal-script calligraphy, wrote the characters; and numerous craftsmen completed production within ten days. The Imperial Seal Symbol Record contains diagrams and specifications of Jegojibo, confirming its form, materials, dimensions, and documented use examples. The Jegojibo's shape features a dragon-shaped handle knob, the highest form, with the seal body measuring three chi three bun (9.08×9.12cm). The dragon knob displays jade antlers on the crown with dot patterns and scales, includes auspicious cloud designs on the nose, and displays opened mouth with two prominent teeth, surrounded by auspicious vapor while holding a precious orb. The entire body features scales with the back arched in semicircular form. The calligraphy employs small-seal script matching other Korean Empire seals, presenting uniform characters in bilateral symmetry—refined form symbolizing imperial majesty's solemn authority. As a Korean Empire national seal, the Jegojibo allows confirmation of all manufacturing processes through documents with diverse practical applications, preserving complete original form as a historical symbol enduring the nation's trials and tribulations.