This pagoda, which was originally located at the site of Namgyewon Monastery in Gaeseong, was relocated to the Joseon Government-General Museum in Gyeongbokgung Palace in 1915. It was relocated to its present location in 2005. Its overall structure follows the tradition of the preceding era, but it also displays the characteristics of a Goryeo stone pagoda, (i.e., a larger number of stories comprising the body than before, the lifted ends of the eaves, and the atmosphere of massiveness). Seven Buddhist scriptures written in silver ink on sheets of papers dyed deep blue were found inside the pagoda. The scriptures are thought to have been placed there in 1283 (or the 9th year of the reign of King Chungnyeol of Goryeo).
Osvald Sirén (1879-1966), a Finnish-born Swedish art historian, was appointed professor for Art History at Stockholm University from 1908 to 1923 and Keeper of Paintings and Sculptures at the National Museum from 1928 to 1944, and contributed significantly to the formation of the East Asian collections at the National Museum and the Museum of Far Eastern Antiquities (MFEA). He travelled to East Asia four times between 1918 and 1935 to conduct research and to make acquisitions. His research was devoted mainly to Chinese paintings, architecture and gardens. However, he also showed an interest in Korea and travelled there in 1929 on his way from Japan to China on his third journey to East Asia (1929-1930). Among his documents, study material about Japanese Buddhist sculpture with references to Korea as well as copies of lecture material of the Tokyo Imperial College on Korean architecture (tombs of the Three Kingdoms period (57 BC–668 CE), and temple and palace architecture of the Goryeo (918–1392) and the Joseon dynasties (1392–1910)) can be found. He probably studied the material while staying in Japan in January 1929 as a preparation for his visit to Korea.
Apart from making acquisitions for the National Museum, Sirén also purchased art objects to form his private collection, from which he sold (in some cases through donors) or lent objects to the MFEA as well as the National Museum. Such an object is the Korean bronze mirror in the collection of the MFEA (K-11000-535; purchased 1925), which he acquired in China during one of his earlier trips. A box with inlaid decoration of the Goryeo dynasty (OM-1984-0036) collected by Sirén, entered the collection in 1984 through a bequest of Sirén’s daughter Margherita. Although there are only two Korean objects associated with Sirén in the collection, 20 photographs he took during his trip to Korea, now held in the photo archive of the MFEA, reflect his interest in Korean architecture and sculpture and serve as important documentation of historical sites. Also, his series (8 photographs) of street scenes and portraits offer a glimpse into everyday life in early 20th century Korea.
Important to know about the information in the online collection database
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