Korean milliners, 1901

Where craftsmanship meets tradition — a tribute to the artisans of Joseon Korea.
This fine art reproduction transports us to a quiet corner of 1901 Korea, where milliners handcraft gat — the traditional wide-brimmed hats worn by Korean men as a symbol of dignity, education, and Confucian values.

Details

• Museum-quality fine art print on premium archival paper
• Faithful reproduction of an early 20th-century sepia photograph
• A genuine piece of visual history
• Available in multiple sizes to suit your space

About the artwork

This sepia-toned photograph, taken in 1901, captures two Korean milliners seated in their workshop, surrounded by the tools and materials used in crafting the gat — a traditional hat from the Joseon Dynasty, made of horsehair and bamboo.

The older artisan on the right, wearing a completed gat, sits cross-legged beside finished pieces and tools, calmly working while a long smoking pipe rests in his bowl. On the left, a younger man, perhaps an apprentice, cools materials with a handheld fan. A small child stands nearby, quietly witnessing the process.

Finished gats hang neatly on the stone wall, while cylindrical molds and trays sit stacked nearby — a testament to the precision and rhythm of traditional craftsmanship. The humble setting, woven textures, and earth tones convey the simplicity and spirit of a Korea in transition.

This image offers more than visual beauty — it’s a portrait of identity, perseverance, and the artisans who preserved Korean heritage through generations of change.