Horse Warrants (Map’ae)

HORSE WARRANTS 마패 (馬牌)

Korean horse warrants (Map’ae) are bronze medallions showing from one to five horses.

They are often described as an award or postal badge, neither description is anywhere near accurate.  They were used by government officials in accomplishing their official duties. The number of horses corresponding to the importance of the mission, with the more important missions getting 5 horses while jobs of lower importance were given a lesser number of horses.

“King’s Secret Mission Officer” Amhaeng-osa 암행어사 (暗行禦史)

The most engaging stories concern the “King’s Secret Mission Officer” Amhaeng-osa 암행어사 (暗行禦史) who were tasked with the job of investigating government officials and military commanders. During Korea’s Yi Dynasty (1392-1910 A.D.), the government held national examinations regularly.  Depending on what level of the exam that was taken, those who passed were given degrees similar to a Bachelor, Master’s or Doctorate.  Since these young men had spent most of their life in secluded study, they would be highly educated and virtually unknown to the rest of the nation.   The Kings’ secret agents were usually selected from those who passed the highest level of the exam.  The king would summon the appointed person to a secret meeting and give him a Letter of Appointment 봉서 (封書) and a Letter of Assignment 사목 (事目) with specific instructions on those matters to be investigated.  The Horse Warrant served as a seal of authority, and authorized the possessor to use the Royal transportation facilities.  The number of horses shown indicated the number of horses which could be requisitioned by the bearer.  In addition, the appointed person would receive a bronze scale 유척 (鍮尺) to measure the size of implements of punishment (whips, canes, and fetters).  The scale was also used to ensure that the devices used for standardized weights and measures were accurate.  Traveling incognito, the King’s secret agent would investigate wrongful acts and bribery of government officials and military commanders; meet and talk to the people about their living conditions, taxes, local officers, etc.; survey the fields and marketplaces and check whether well-educated and able men were given proper employment.  When the investigation was completed, the secret agent would appear at the County Hall and identify himself utilizing the Horse Warrant.  If a complaint were to be made, he would seize the documents of the administration as evidence of the officials’ wrongful acts, close the government warehouses and seal the doors. The Amhaeng-osa’s mission ended with the delivery of a summary report to the king.  Korean literature, both fictional and non-fictional, is full of stories of Amhaeng-osa.  These secret missions could be especially dangerous.  There are several true stories where corrupt officials killed the Amhaeng-osa to hide their crimes.

This investigative tool originated in the 4^th year of the Korean King Chungjong 中宗 (1509 A.D.) and reached its greatest use during the reigns of Korean Kings Yongjo 英租 (r. 1724-76) and Chongjo 正租 (r. 1776-1800).  The system was purely Korean and assumed an important role in the local administration of the Yi Dynasty.  Nothing resembling it ever existed in China or Japan.

Some generalizations about ascertaining authenticity.

Korean scholars use a wide variety of tools to authenticate a particular piece. The horse’s ears, eyes, and tails are all inspected and compared to known authentic pieces. Because they hold secrets, the Chinese characters on the reverse are critical in determining authenticity. To stop counterfeiters, the characters can have strokes missing, can be loose (spaces within the character which by traditional standards are too large), errors in the seal script within the seal, etc. Early Map’ae, weigh from 450 to 650 grams, while later pieces weigh between 250 and 350 grams.  They are 95 to 100 mm. in diameter and 10 to 12 mm. thick.  The edges are rounded in almost a semicircle. Because Map’ae are dated using the Chinese Ming or Manchu calendars, they are sometimes listed in auctions as “Authenticated” Chinese artifacts. Anything that is made of yellow brass is fake. These were made after the Korean War from spent artillery shells. Early reproduction pieces from the 1950s and 60s are quite similar to authentic pieces (thick and heavy, with rounded edges). As time went on, and to increase profit, reproductions became substantially thinner with squared edges. Just because a Map’ae has the correct metallic content does not ensure its authenticity. Corrupt individuals were known to counterfeit Map’ae for their benefit. (Why rent a horse if you can get one for free.) In times of famine, a counterfeit Map’ae could be used to furnish fresh meat. Before purchasing, be sure to get a reputable third party involved who is familiar with Korea artifacts. One thing I can say for sure, any Map’ae with heavily slanted Chinese characters is a reproduction.

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Translations

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Purportedly Authentic Examples

The examples below are believed to be authentic. The one from the National Museum of Korea has characters which slope too much for my liking, but then again, I am no expert.

National Museum of Korea. The original pictures can be seen at HERE.

Further reading material

• Edgar J. Mandel, Cast Coinage of Korea, pp. 128-134
• 마패(馬牌) 역사 및 마패 직인 문서 (Documentation of Ma P’ae History and Ma P’ae Seals)
• 마패 진위 구별법 (How to distinguish the authenticity of the ma p’ae)
• 제1회 화폐박람회에서 본 5억원 마패 (500 million won mapae seen at the 1st Currency Fair)
• 추사의 암행어사 보고서 친필본 (Chusa’s autographed copy of Secret Royal Temple Report)

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An Unauthenticated Specimen