The National Palace Museum of Korea Presents “Set of White Porcelain Placenta Jars and Tablet for King
Sukjong” as the Curator’s Choice for September
- Vessels that Contained the Placenta and Umbilical Cord of a Royal Baby of the Joseon Dynasty to Be Showcased in the Gallery and on YouTube / Starting September 1.-

The National Palace Museum of Korea (Director: Kim In Kyu), an affiliate of the Cultural Heritage Administration of Korea, has selected the “Set of White Porcelain Placenta Jars and Tablet for King Sukjong” as its “Curator’s Choice from the Royal Treasures” for the month of September. In addition to being displayed in the Royal Rituals of the Joseon Dynasty permanent gallery on floor B1 of the museum, the set will be presented virtually in a YouTube broadcast starting September 1.
* National Palace Museum of Korea YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/gogungmuseum
** Cultural Heritage Administration YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/chluvu

The Joseon royal court established standard protocols for preserving the placenta and umbilical cord of each newly-born royal baby. It was believed that the placenta and umbilical cord (collectively known as “tae” in Korean) contributed to the growth and development of a new life and would influence the fate of the baby. The tae of future heirs to the throne was therefore carefully placed inside a set of jars and buried in an auspicious site. These jars produced for Joseon royal babies embody wishes for the newborn to lead a peaceful and successful life.

The placenta jars of King Sukjong include an inner and outer jar. Lugs are attached at four points on the shoulders of both jars, and the knobs are pierced with holes to allow a string to be bound in a crossing manner and secure the lid to the body. A tablet documenting the date of the birth of King Sukjong was entombed along with the placenta jars.
***Inscription on the tablet: Placenta and umbilical cord of a first son born during myosi (5–7 am) on the fifteenth day of the eighth lunar month in 1661

In 1417, King Taejong (r. 1401 –1418) issued a decree that all ceramics wares that are paid to the state as a tax must be inscribed with the name of the office of their intended use. This was a measure to combat losses through the theft of court wares. Moreover, wares were inscribed with their production location as a means to help manage and supervise their condition and quality. This bowl is notable in that it is inscribed with Jangheunggo, the major government office responsible for supplying goods to the royal court since the founding of the Joseon Dynasty. In addition to this month’s Curator Choice, other examples of buncheong ware with inscriptions are on display in the gallery. Together, they provide an interesting glimpse into the production and distribution of buncheong ware under the supervision of the government during the early Joseon Dynasty.

The museum may currently be accessed only in accordance with the requirements in place to reduce the potential for the spread of COVID-19. Those who are unable to visit the gallery in person can still enjoy this month’s Curator’s Choice virtually through a video with Korean and English subtitles available on the museum’s website (gogung.go.kr). Our visitors canalso see on the YouTube channels ofthe museum and of the Cultural Heritage Administration of Korea.

Division: The National Palace Museum of Korea
            Exhibition & Publicity Division
Contact person: Lim Gyeong-hee (02-3701-7631), Lee Ji-hye (02-3701-7634)