Baecheop is the Korean art of preserving scrolls of brushed calligraphy or paintings by applying a silk or paper mounting.[1] Craftsmen who specialise in this process are known as baecheopjang, one of whom, Kim Pyo-young, is an Important Intangible Cultural Property of Korea.[2]
The techniques used originated in China, but is recorded in Korea as early as the Goguryeo period.[3] Baecheop was widely used in the Joseon period for processing the artworks held in royal collections.[1]
The glue used is a paste of flour and water which is fermented over as long as a decade. The hanji used must be carefully selected, as some papers contain chemicals which can, over time, cause damage to the original artwork.[2] Mountings can take the form of scrolls, folding screens, processed documents, covered bindings or framed art.[3] [1]