Sinbeop Jipyeongilgu(1985-1)

Basic information

Designation

Treasure No.839

Category

Craft

Era

조선시대

Designated year

1985

Location

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

Coordinates

37.576571, 126.974851

While most sundials have a semicircular shape, this one, called Jipyeongilgu, is horizontal in surface where time is indicated. The white marble sundial has a width of 120.3 cm, a height of 57.5 cm and a thickness of 16.5 cm. It weighs 310 kg. The surface indicating time is the polished flat, and the time and seasonal lines are inscribed on it in a beautiful and delicate way. One hour is divided into 4 angles, and one time line is marked in every one angle. So it is possible to know the time in great detail from injeong 2 gak (5:45 am) to sulcho chogak (6:15 pm). The seasonal line is made up of 13 lines from the summer to the winter solstice and there was a triangular sipyo in the center, which is now missing. According to Jeungbomunheonbigo (Revised Analysis of Literary Sources), this sundial was made by Yi Cheon-gyeong in the 14th year of the reign of King Injo of Joseon on the ground of Siheonnyeokbeob (Chongzhen calendar). The standard latitude of the sundial, calculated by Yi Eun-seong, was 30¡Æ54'N, which is the same as for the Chinese instruments, showing that Jipyeongilgu used Beijing as the observatory standard. In view of this, it is supposed that the sundial was brought by Prince Sohyeon and his party when he returned from Qing Dynasty China in 1645.

Location