Cultural heritage in Goyang
five-thousand years history
Current story of Goyang
- Cultural heritage in Goyang
- five-thousand years history
- Current story of Goyang
- Let’s try to go
Those maintaining traditions
In Beautiful Goyang-si, there are people who are designated as cultural property for their artistic value
Master of gold and silver work skill ‘Hyojoon Lee’
( Gyeonggi-do intangible cultural asset 43 | Date of designation : 2005.02.07 )
Gold and silver masters (金銀匠) are literally those who master the skills in gold and silver work to create decorations by using gold and silver. Started to be developed in the period of Three States, they have been succeeding the gold and silver work skills through Joseon Dynasty. Those masters in Joseon Dynasty delivered handiworks to the government office as they belonged to the country. However, as dynasties disappeared in Joseon, those masters gathered in the area near Gwanggyo River. They opened 銀房都家 to create kettle, vase, Korean traditional hairpin, twin rings, bells, and Korean traditional ornaments to continue their skills. Afterwards, they have been maintaining the gold and silver skills as a part of our tradition through 李王職美術品製作所.
On February 7, 2005, gold and silver master, Hyojoon Lee, was designated as Gyeonggi-do intangible cultural asset 43. Starting to learn gold and silver skills as a disciple of the gold and silver artist, Sunik Lee, master Hyojoon Lee is well-known for outstanding ornament gold and silver skills. In the fourth global ceramic biennale held at Icheon, Gyeonggi-do, in 2007, he received attention by releasing many of the works.
Interview with Gold and Silver Craftsman (Feb.28.2017/Reporter: Culture Committee Member, Dongil Jeong)
When did you start this work?
started in 1967.
Who did you learn your skills from when you firstly started your career in gold and silver work?
He was the late artist Sunik Lee. It has been a long time. He is no longer working and has already passed away. I started learning from him at Yeji-dong in Jongro. When did you come to the field of art.. It was about the 1980s.
When did you come to the field of art..
It was about the 1980s.
How old were you when you firstly started working?
I believe that I was around 15 or 16.
Are you only specializing in gold and silver work since then??
Yes.
In short, how do you describe the gold and silver work field?
In short, if I compare with item types, gold and silver masters are those who make the Korean traditional ornaments, hairpin, or other accessories for women.
However, there are still many areas beyond them. We need to make them all as well.
Therefore, it is difficulty to easily define who gold and silver masters are. They all need to be able to master them all.
What I do has a relatively broader range. As it has broader range, I want to say I specialize in this one specific item, but I cannot.
Accessory made of gold and silver
Which countries’ people like your work the most ?
Japanese people like mine the most.
Why is that?
Well, according to my opinion, they have a bit of higher level of appreciation.
They are impressed by my work.
Then, how long does it take to make Korean traditional hairpin?
Well, it depends on what I make. There are items that require at least 8 hours. I cannot say one specific time that is required to make all different items.
Was there any work that took you so long or that was specifically complicated?
Yes, there are the simple ones such as Korean traditional ornaments.There are complicated ones.
Well, there it is. Items such as Sipjangsaeng Korean traditional ornament. These items are all made by attaching the gold and craving them apart as a piece. So, it took me a long time.
Is the price of work increasing in proportion with the price of gold and silver?
If the price of gold or silver increases, the price of work will sure be increasing. However, the price of gold and silver increases separately, and we only are paid with the salary.
Price of gold and silver is already included in the invoice. So, there is no way for us to be paid more because of an increase of price of gold and silver.
Working on the piece
There were many of the rewards and commendation. How did you win them?
Is there any other reason? We need to work hard and survive.
We work hard, and our works are being released. This is how it works.
How do you think of cultivating disciples?
Yes, my son is my assistant to hand down the skills and maintain his position in the same field with me.
Is your son specialized in crafts?
Yes, he majored in metal crafts and is working with me now.
Is your son interested in this work?
Well, it is fun. If not, we are not supposed to work on them
You feel rewarded and reassured?
Yes, I feel reassured.
What are you feeling to be rewarded the most as you do this type of work?
Well, people visit us often to see our works.
This is how thankful I am on them.
On February 07, 2005, Hyojun Lee was designated as the 43th intangible cultural property in Gyeonggido for his gold & silver craftmanshipHyojun Lee is one of the Goyang-si's true tresure
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