The National Palace Museum of Korea (Director: Kim Dong-Young), an affiliate of theCultural Heritage Administration of Korea, has selected the Cabinet for the Seals in Bosodang injon as the "Curator’s Choice from the RoyalTreasures” for the month of June. In addition to being displayed in the permanent gallery, the cabinet will be presented virtuallyon a YouTube broadcast starting June 3.

* National Palace Museum of Korea YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/gogungmuseum
* Cultural Heritage Administration YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/chluvu

King Heonjong had an unparalleled passion for both academics and art. He carved and collected seals with phrases embodying his personal concepts and preferences such as "友天下士” (ucheonhasa, associating with the scholars of the world) and "硯香” (yeonhyang, the scent of an inkstone). His enthusiasm for seals is clear in the compilation of his collection in the form of a catalogue entitled Bosodang injon. This month’s Curator’s Choice is the cabinet in which King Heonjongstored his collection of seals.

The Cabinet for the Seals in Bosodang injon is actually a pair of cabinets, respectively inscribed with characters indicating "former” and "latter.” Each cabinet features ten compartments with two columns of drawers. The inner side of the doors have papers indicating the order and quantity of the seals stored in each drawer. The artisanry of the cabinets laid out like a three-dimensional book demonstrates the passion and affection for seals felt by its owner, King Heonjong. The Cabinet for the Seals in Bosodang injon ison display in the gallery of Painting and Calligraphy of the Joseon Royal Court of the National Palace Museum of Korea together with Heonjong’s collection of seals.

The museum may be accessed only through compliance with the requirements in place to reduce the potential 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). It can also be seen on the YouTube channels ofthe museum and of the Cultural Heritage Administration of Korea.

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