Historical Relics

[Anchor Lead]

The descendants of Chosun era Confucian scholar Hong Jik-pil has donated nearly 300 pieces of historical relics to a regional museum. The collection is known to be of great historic value. Let's takea look

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Every hair has a different shape and color. The wrinkles on the forehead and even the eyebrows are meticulously drawn. This vivid portrait is of Chosun scholar and politician Song Si-yeol. It's believed to be the work of painter Lee Myeong-gi who was known for drawing royal portraits. The picture is the epitome of Chosun-era portraiture. In those days, people believed that even a single hair inaccurately drawn would not faithfully represent the person. This ancient book contains the handwriting of Chosun King Jeongjo from his childhood years. It's regarded to carry the value of a national treasure.

[Soundbite] Lee Yeong-eun(Curator, Gyeonggi Provincial Museum) : "Experts were not sure at first but they examined various records and concluded the writing was by the king when he was very young."

All these relics have been donated to the Gyeonggi Provincial Museum by the descendants of Hong Jik-pil. Hong whose pen name was Maesan was a leading scholar of neo-Confucianism in the latter era of the Chosun dynasty. His posterity has donated 284 pieces including portraits, documents and other materials that were kept as family treasures over several hundred years.

[Soundbite] Hong In-ho(Descendant of Hong Jik-pil) : "All our siblings supported the move. It was also our father's informal will that the relics should be donated to a place where they can be well preserved and where research can be conducted."

The museum will reveal the relics to the public after carrying out some preservation measures on articles that have been severely damaged. Also, through expert advice, the relics will undergo procedures for possible designation as state cultural assets.