Collection

Costume

상아홀
Courtiers’ Hand-held Tablet (Hol)
Artifact Name
(English) Courtiers’ Hand-held Tablet (Hol) 
(Korean) 상아홀
(Chinese Character) 象牙笏
Culture/PeriodJoseon, late 19th century
MaterialsIvory
DimensionsL. 31.5cm
Assigned No.
Description
Hol, a hand-held tablet, was held by officials and used to record royal orders given by the king. Later, it became a ritual to carry hol. The materials used for the tablet differed according to the holder’s rank; ivory was used for first- to fourth-rank officials, and wood was for officials below fifth rank. This is a hand-held tablet made of ivory.