Moveable types, Korea, ca. 18th century, Wood, carved, ROM 952X90.35

Moveable types, Korea, ca. 18th century, Wood, carved, ROM 952X90.35

Printing developed in East Asia long before it did in Europe, including both large-scale woodblocks and moveable type, and was used for imprinting patterns on textiles as well as on paper. Clay and wood type were made in China during the eleventh century, while the more durable metal type emerged in Korea during the thirteenth century. The four wooden pieces of type shown here were produced in 1772 or 1777, reworking the Chinese character typeface style of Gapinja, which greatly enhanced the Korean technology of moveable type printing.

Royal Ontario Museum

ca. 18th century

Photographer credit: Courtesy of the Royal Ontario Museum

Royal Ontario Museum

Materials: Wood, carved

Korean

ROM 952X90.35

Korea