National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage Publishes Report on Palace Wallpaper Investigation

"Includes Results of Material Analysis and Changes in Wallpaper Styles"

The National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage announced on July 8 that it has published a report after investigating the wallpaper that decorated the interiors of palace buildings during the Joseon Dynasty. Titled 'Research on Restoration Techniques of Wallpaper in Joseon Dynasty Palaces, Investigation Edition,' the report organizes information related to wallpaper found in historical documents. It also includes findings from on-site investigations of wallpaper remaining in the four major palaces?Gyeongbokgung, Deoksugung, Changgyeonggung, and Changdeokgung?as well as in Chilgung.

'Research on Restoration Techniques of Wallpaper in Joseon Dynasty Palaces, Investigation Edition'

In Korea, wallpaper has traditionally been applied to the interiors of buildings to create indoor spaces and block cold air from outside. In particular, the royal family of the Joseon Dynasty and the imperial family of the Korean Empire varied the number of wallpaper layers depending on the status and importance of each palace building, and also used different types of wallpaper at each stage. Today, most of the wallpaper is made of Hanji.

An official from the institute stated, "This report contains the results of the basic research conducted since 2022 for the restoration techniques of wallpaper in Joseon palaces," adding, "It will provide insights into the analysis of wallpaper materials and the changes in wallpaper styles over time."