Detail

` This fifth stamp packet in the Traditional Culture Special introduces Korea`s traditional needlework tools. Since ancient times, the needle, thread, ruler, thimble, scissors, soldering iron, and flatiron were considered as the ``seven best friends in a lady`s sitting room (known in Korean as gyujungchiru),” and women were never without them. These stamps, illustrating needlework equipment dating from the late Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910), are displayed at the National Folk Museum of Korea. Workbox Basket Made of bamboo, paper, wood and other materials, the basket is for holding needles, needle cases, thimbles, bobbins, scissors, rulers, irons, etc. Baskets, which vary in style, include i) the box type ii) the drawer type iii) nested basket sets iv) hand baskets, among others. Members of the upper class during the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910) added sumptuous decorations, such as mother-of-pearls, hwagak (lavish designs of auspicious animals and flowers) etc. Those in the lower class made baskets of paper and thin strips of willow or bamboo. Thimble Placed on the end of the index finger, the thimble is used to push the blunt end of the needle through the fabric without injuring the finger. Thimbles were constructed of colored silk, leather and other materials, and some were even embroidered. In the past, neighborhood women would visit the home of the bride-to-be to see the articles in her wedding chest. At that time, the bride would give out 40 or 50 thimbles as well as needles, not only as token for guests, but also to display her needlework skills. Bobbin Used for winding thread, bobbins were usually made of wood. They also varied in shape: i) long rectangles with one side being long ii) ones with all four corners protruding iii) ones with their middle depressed, resembling the body of mortar, and so forth. The bobbins used by the upper class had luxurious decorations, including hwagak (lavish designs of auspicious animals and flowers) decorations, mother-of-pearl inlay, etc. In contrast, the lower classes used crude, unadorned bobbins. Needle Case Used for storing needles, needle cases were made of nickel, tortoise shell, or cloth. To use the nickel needle case, the lid was lifted and needles were placed on a bed of human hair. The cases varied in shape, including those that resembled a bottle-shaped gourd. Various decorations or embroidery were added, making the needle cases equally attractive as ornaments. Thus, needle cases were both practical and beautiful enough to be used as decorations. Women always carried needle cases with them in case they needed to repair their own clothing or that of their families.`