Restored Joseon royal craft 'banhwa' makes domestic debut with Sulwhasoo's support

Amorepacific announced Tuesday that it will unveil in South Korea for the first time a restored Joseon royal craft known as "banhwa" (盤花), made possible through support from its luxury skincare brand Sulwhasoo.

The piece will go on public display Wednesday at simultaneous exhibitions opening at the National Palace Museum of Korea and the Deoksugung Palace Management Office, as part of a special exhibition marking the 140th anniversary of diplomatic ties between South Korea and France, titled "Gifts and Records: 140 Years of Korean-French Friendship."

Banhwa, meaning "flowers on a tray," is a form of Joseon royal bonsai craft. King Gojong sent the original to French President Sadi Carnot in 1886 as a diplomatic gift to mark the establishment of relations between Joseon and France.

The original is currently held at the Musée national des arts asiatiques-Guimet in Paris. The piece combines gemstones, metal and wood into a complex composite craft that is difficult to transport, so a restored replica was produced for the domestic unveiling.

Sulwhasoo supported the restoration in 2024 through an agreement on the preservation and utilization of royal cultural heritage. Kim Yeong-hui, a designated holder of the national intangible heritage of jade craftsmanship, carried out the restoration using traditional techniques. The completed replicas were donated to the National Palace Museum of Korea and the Deoksugung Palace Management Office, respectively.

"The restoration of banhwa and its first public showing in Korea is a meaningful example of reviving the beauty and historical value of Joseon royal cultural heritage for the modern era," a Sulwhasoo official said. "We will continue our efforts to spread and pass on the value of traditional Korean culture."