Lantern with "The Eight Symbols" (Palguae) Decorations

19th century

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Object Label

Lanterns such as this one were used like flashlights in Korea’s large palace compounds. A metal swing inside the laminated shade held a lit candle erect even as the lantern swayed. Night guards would patrol the grounds carrying the lanterns with the handle up so the light of the candle was cast downward, illuminating the path but not disturbing the palace residents.

Caption

Lantern with "The Eight Symbols" (Palguae) Decorations, 19th century. Wood, bamboo, paper, lacquer, metal, 13 9/16 x 5 1/4 in. (34.5 x 13.3 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Brooklyn Museum Collection, X1133. Creative Commons-BY

Gallery

Not on view

Collection

Asian Art

Title

Lantern with "The Eight Symbols" (Palguae) Decorations

Date

19th century

Dynasty

Joseon Dynasty

Geography

Place made: Korea

Medium

Wood, bamboo, paper, lacquer, metal

Classification

Fire/Heat

Dimensions

13 9/16 x 5 1/4 in. (34.5 x 13.3 cm)

Credit Line

Brooklyn Museum Collection

Accession Number

X1133

Rights

Creative Commons-BY

You may download and use Brooklyn Museum images of this three-dimensional work in accordance with a Creative Commons license. Fair use, as understood under the United States Copyright Act, may also apply. Please include caption information from this page and credit the Brooklyn Museum. If you need a high resolution file, please fill out our online application form (charges apply). For further information about copyright, we recommend resources at the United States Library of Congress, Cornell University, Copyright and Cultural Institutions: Guidelines for U.S. Libraries, Archives, and Museums, and Copyright Watch. For more information about the Museum's rights project, including how rights types are assigned, please see our blog posts on copyright. If you have any information regarding this work and rights to it, please contact copyright@brooklynmuseum.org.

Frequent Art Questions

  • How would this lantern work?

    The part you see around the outside is actually a laminated shade. The candle would rest inside, standing upright (with the wick pointing toward the handle).
    Since the handle was on top, the light of the candle was actually meant to be cast downward, illuminating the path. This was a way for people to see where they were walking at night without disturbing sleeping people nearby.
    Oh interesting! It's like an inverted lamp!
  • What is this?

    This is a lantern! It was used like a flashlight in Korean palace compounds in the 19th century. They would hold it handle up so that the light of the candle inside illuminated the pathway.
    It's decorated with Chinese characters that contain a message that the lantern would light 100 miles.
    Wow, thank you.

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