Horse Tag for Four Horses (Translation)
천계사년명청동사마패 천계사년 (Primary Title)
天啓四年銘靑銅四馬牌 朝鮮時代 (Primary Title)
Unknown (Artist)
Serving as transportation passes, these bronze plaques were issued by the Korean imperial court to traveling government envoys, officials, and foreign diplomats for their stay at rest stations along their route. Built alternatively every twenty to thirty miles, these stations provided travelers with shelter, food, and horses to ensure a distant journey possible. A plaque with four horses indicates a four-horse request. The inscription on the reverse of each plaque bears the date of Tianqi 4 (1624).
Joseon dynasty (1392-1910)
尚瑞院印 (상서원인, seal of Sangseowon Office)
尚瑞院黃字號四馬牌天啓四年三月日 (상서원황자호사마패천계사년삼월일) (Four-horse tag, Yellow category, issued by Sangseowon Office, 3rd month of Tianqi 4).
Gift of Carol Mattusch in memory of Harriet and Kurt Robert Mattusch
Some object records are not complete and do not reflect VMFA's full and current knowledge. VMFA makes routine updates as records are reviewed and enhanced.
