K-beauty history: How a princess’ tomb shed light on 18th century cosmetic culture in Korea

The discovery of Princess Hwahyeop’s tomb has given a glimpse into how Koreans in the Joseon Dynasty used face wash, foundation powder, rouge and blusher

But some of these products contained lead and mercury and were toxic, researchers found

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Cosmetics containers found at Princess Hwahyeop's tomb. Photo: Handout

Published: 2:00pm, 20 Oct 2019Updated: 11:26pm, 20 Oct 2019

The rare discovery of an 18th century Korean princess’ personal belongings have shed light on the country’s traditional make-up culture that disappeared, as in other parts of Asia, with the influx of modern cosmetics from the West.

Princess Hwahyeop, a daughter of the Joseon Dynasty’s 21st king, Yeongjo, married Shin Gwang-su, the son of a high-ranking official, in 1743 when she was only 11 years old. But she died of measles in 1752 at the age of 19.

The couple’s tombs were discovered in 2015 when a farmer in Namyangju city, 22km northeast of Seoul, stumbled upon a stone box buried beneath his vegetable field. It contained burial items for Hwahyeop’s husband, including writing tools such as a brush, ink and an ink stone.

Another box made of lime cement was later discovered nearby, containing cosmetic tools such as a bronze mirror and its embroidered cloth case, brow-drawing ink, combs and 12 miniature porcelain and wooden containers. Other items uncovered at the site included stone tablets identifying the tomb as that of Princess Hwahyeop and an epitaph written by the king lamenting his daughter’s death.

Containers found at Princess Hwahyeop's tomb near Seoul. Photo: Handout

Researchers published the details of the findings at an international seminar at the National Palace Museum of Korea in Seoul this month, which drew experts from South Korea, China, Japan and France.