These 3 objects were made in 1651 (the 2nd year of King Hyojong [r. 1649-1659]) when King Hyeonjong (r. 1659-1674) was invested as a crown prince. According to The Records of the Royal Books and Seals Enshrined at Jongmyo, four royal seals of King Hyeonjong were crafted and enshrined at Jongmyo Shrine. All of them, however, were lost during the Korean War (1950-1953), and only this seal was recently discovered and returned to Korea in 2017. Consequently, this is the only extant seal of King Hyeonjong.

The first son of King Hyojong and Queen Inseon (1619-1674), King Hyeonjong was born in Shenyang China where his parents were still captives of the Manchu Qing Dynasty after the Qing Invasion of Joseon in 1636. After returning to Joseon in 1645, he became a crown prince in 1651 and ascended to the throne in 1659. He passed away in Changdeokgung Palace in 1674.

While a jade investiture seal for a crown prince is engraved with four Chinese characters “王世子印” (‘Wangsejain’ meaning “a seal of a crown prince”) in general, inscribed on this seal are five characters “王世子之印” (‘Wangsejajiin’), meaning the same as the former. 

In the investiture book, the king stresses that the investiture of the crown prince is to strengthen the basis of a state and bring strong confidence to the people. The book also praises the prince’s intelligence and great personality, as well as describing the ideal attitude he should cultivate as a crown prince. Along with the contents stated in the investiture book, the edict also advises the prince to place great emphasis on filial piety, amity, prudence and veneration, and to devote himself to study.