This book, 
Korean Traditional Silver or Gold Inlaying>, traces the origins and evolution by period, techniques and patterns, etc., of inlay, one of the most important decoration techniques in Korean metal crafts, in exemplary masterpieces. Chapter 1, “About Ipsa”, introduces the definition, history, usage, types and motifs of inlay.

Chapter 1, “About Ipsa”, introduces the definition, history, usage, types and motifs of inlay.

Chapter 2, “Crafting Ipsa”, provides photographs and descriptions of materials and tools used for each of the ‘inlay by incising’ and ‘inlay by texturing’ techniques, detailing their characteristics and processes.

Finally, Chapter 3, “Enjoying Ipsa”, explores the highlights of expressive characteristics and meanings in exemplary Korean inlay craftworks of each period. A list of Joseon period inlay masters and stemmed incense inscriptions are provided in the appendix.

Choi Eung-chon (Professor, Faculty of Art History of Dongguk University, Member of the Cultural Properties Committee)

Chapter 1

 

About Ipsa

 

Definition of Ipsa 14

History of Ipsa 20

Uses of Ipsa 39

Arts of Ipsa 47

Motifs of Ipsa 54

 

 

Chapter 2

 

Crafting Ipsa

 

Inlay by Incising 76

Inlay by Texturing 86

 

 

Chapter 3

 

Enjoying Ipsa

 

Swords of Sovereignty from the Three Kingdoms Period 100

Balance of Gold and Silver in the Unified Silla 102

Ascending Buddhist Ideals, Goryeo Hyangwan and Hyanghap 104

Jeongbyeong and Subyeong with Landscape Motifs 108

Glamorous Tastes of Aristocratic Arts of Goryeo 112

Authority and Science at Joseon Court 116

Daily Life of Seonbi, Joseon Literati 120

Joseon Buddhism Inscribed in Sanskrit Letters 126

Contemporary Ipsa 130

 

 

Appendix

 

Masters 146

Craft & Design Map 147

Hyangwan Inscriptions Referring to Metal Inlaying 148

List of Active Ipsajang in the Joseon Period 150

List of Artifacts and Illustrations 152

Bibliography 156

Collaborators 157

Cooperation Organizations 158

Index 159

The publication of Korea Craft & Design Foundation, “Korean Craft & Design Resource Book” series, aims at distributing the knowledge on the traditional craftsmanship and technology of Korea, and at providing them not only to experts of relevant fields, but also to the general public. The first book of the series, Najeon, Korean Nacre Lacquerware was published in 2011, followed by Traditional Natural Dyeing in 2012, Somok: Korean Traditional Joinery, Jangseok: Korean Traditional Metalwork for Joinery and Hanji: Korean Handmade Paper in 2013, Baekja: Korean Traditional Porcelain and Nubi: Korean Traditional Quilt in 2014, and Onggi: Korean Traditional Earthenware and Chimseon: Korean Traditional Sewing. The series continues in 2016: Maedeup: Korean Traditional Decorative Knotting and Ipsa: Korean Traditional Silver or Gold Inlaying are on our publication list. Ipsa, Korean traditional metal inlaying, perfectly reflects the wisdom, creativity and aesthetics of the Korean with its exquisite brilliant appearance and techniques.

Ipsa refers to a technique which involves carving a line or plane into a metal surface and creating patterns by filling the carved part with a metal different from the background metal, and numerous high-quality artifacts decorated with Ipsa technique have been handed down since the Three Kingdoms period, reflecting the high standard of Korean traditional metal craftsmanship. For the book Ipsa: Korean Traditional Silver and Gold Inlaying we asked multiple experts for advice, for the purpose of retracing the values and merits of the traditional Ipsa technique and bringing them to a wider audience. We publish this book in anticipation that the past and present of Korean traditional metal inlaying would be understood and handed down to the next generations.