Like my sister, the apostle prince? Princess cosmetics revived after 260 years

Cremation relics excavated from the Hwahyup Ongju Mausoleum. [사진 국립고궁박물관]

Youngjo buried his daughter, Hwahyeop Ongju (1733-1752), who died of measles at just 19 years old, and said: “Every time I write a line, ten tears of tears flow. Oh, it’s sad and sad. “I wonder if I want my daughter to be beautiful even across the road. Hair brushes, mirrors, eyebrow ink, and other makeup tools, cosmetics, and cosmetic bowls. Gongju cosmetics, which had been sleeping like this, were reborn as a modern K-beauty after 260 years of cooperation between public, private and academic.

On the 22nd, prototypes of three cosmetics (foundation, hand moisturizer, and lip balm) were unveiled at the National Palace Museum of Korea on the 22nd, based on an investigation of artifacts excavated from Hwahyup Ongju. A diffuser based on the scent of Oyat flowers, symbolizing the Joseon royal family, was also introduced. It all came out in a special container inspired by the blue and white porcelain excavated from the Hwahyup Ong-Jul. The themes that jointly developed this were the National Palace Museum, the University of Korean Traditional Culture and the cosmetic manufacturer Cosmax. These cosmetics are expected to be officially launched this year under the ‘Princess Hwahyup’ brand.

A cosmetic prototype to be released as ‘Princess Flower Hyup’ combining modern technology with the excavated relics of the Hwahyup Ongju (pictured above). [사진 국립고궁박물관]

Hwahyup Ongju cosmetics were discovered during the excavation and investigation of Hwahyup Ongju’s tomb in Sampae-dong, Namyangju, Gyeonggi-do in 2016. It was the first time that some cosmetics and cosmetic containers had been unearthed before, but they were thrown into a established scale. Hundreds of years later, the originals were intact, containing brown solid content, hard white powder, and red powder that breaks easily. In particular, thousands of yellow ants with broken bodies appeared in a container, increasing the possibility that they were used as beauty products or materials for skin treatment. In the process of preserving and analyzing 93 items from 53 artifacts, the Cultural Heritage Administration also investigated the contents of 8 cosmetics and held an international conference and special exhibition last year. At this time, a replica product made by contrasting these ingredients with a cosmetic manufacturing method in ancient literature such as jeminyosul was also featured. For example, white powder was assumed to be a kind of base from the content of “a 3: 1 mixture of white rice flour and white flour (salty flour) and steamed nakgyuja wrapped in a cool cloth, mixed with juice salted and dried in the sun “.

The products presented on this occasion are cosmetics that have been transformed with modern technology taking some of the traditional materials based on these reproductions. Regardless of East and West, ancient bleaching products were given a pale taste through lead and mercury, and these harmful ingredients were inevitably extracted from relics excavated at Hwahyup Ongju. Therefore, it cannot be used as is. There was also a problem of poor adherence, such as extensibility and easy corruption. Professor Jeong Yong-jae from Korea University of Traditional Culture, who is in charge of research and development, explained: “We use the latest pigments and materials to improve performance, including materials contained in excavated cosmetics, but excluding harmful ingredients such as heavy metals. ” Lee Jun-bae, Cosmax lab manager, also emphasized: “We focus on differentiated storytelling, inspired by tradition, from container patterns to materials and formulation techniques.”

A character who embodies Hwahyup Ongju as a cheerful teenager was also shown. It is said that it was based on the record that Hye Gyeong-gung Hong, the wife of the Crown Prince Apostle, pointed it out in her memoirs 『Han Jung-rok』, saying that it was’ clear, calm and deeply filial. Hwahyeop Ongju, as the Apostle Crown Prince, was a two-year-old older sister of Lee Youngbin. In 1743 (King Yeongjo’s year 19), he was sealed as Hwahyeop Ongju and married Shin Gwang-soo, Shinman’s son, who lived in Yeonguijeong that same year. There is a record in Hanjungnok that Yeongjo treated Hwahyeop pottery together with the Crown Prince Apostle. It is said that she is the favorite daughter, the one who receives the most.

Kim Dong-young, director of the National Palace Museum, said: “As the first case of cosmetic modernization based on past relics, we will take the lead in utilizing various cultural heritages in the future.” On this day, the three organizations signed a business agreement to cooperate until 2023: ▶ Development of various traditional cosmetics ▶ Development of programs related to the culture of traditional makeup ▶ Use and advertising of cosmetics and content.

Reporter Kang Hye-ran [email protected]