National Museum of Korea

Overview

The National Museum of Korea Collection Database is the online digital catalogue maintained by the National Museum of Korea (국립중앙박물관), located in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea. The database provides public access to the museum's extensive holdings of Korean historical and artistic artifacts, enabling researchers, scholars, and the general public to search and explore objects from around the world.

History and Founding

The National Museum of Korea was established in 1945 following Korea's liberation from Japanese colonial rule. Its roots go back to the Imperial Household Museum founded by Emperor Sunjong in 1909, the collections of which became the nucleus of the modern national museum. Following the Korean War, the museum moved through several locations in Seoul before being relocated in 2005 to its current site in Yongsan, on land formerly part of the Yongsan Garrison used by US forces. The museum reopened in 2005 as a cultural complex, and the online collection database was developed to extend access to its holdings globally.

Collections and Holdings

The National Museum of Korea holds over 420,000 historically significant artifacts ranging from the Paleolithic Age to the early twentieth century. Its online collection database makes a substantial portion of these accessible digitally. The museum's permanent galleries include Prehistory and Ancient History, Medieval and Early Modern History, Donation Gallery, Calligraphy and Painting, Asian Art, and Sculpture and Crafts. Notable holdings include national treasures such as the Pensive Bodhisattva (National Treasure No. 83), Goryeo celadon ceramics, a gold crown from Silla, and the Ten-Story Pagoda from Gyeongcheonsa Temple Site.

Access and Usage

The Collection Database is freely accessible online at the museum's website, allowing users to search by object type, period, material, and other criteria. The museum itself offers free admission to all permanent exhibitions and is one of the largest museums in the world by floor space.