Celadon Incense Burner with Girin-shaped Lid

Basic information

Designation

National Treasure No.65

Category

Craft

Era

고려시대(12세기)

Designated year

1962

Location

성북구, 서울특별시— 서울특별시 성북구 성북로 102-11 (성북동, 간송미술관)

Coordinates

37.594600, 126.996700

This celadon incense burner, made in the 12th-century Goryeo (918-1392) when celadon art reached its zenith in the kingdom, has height of 20 centimeters and consists of a basin-shaped body and a lid with the knob shaped like a mythical animal called Girin in Korean. The body of the censer features a wide-rimmed body decorated with incised cloud motif and supported by three zoomorphic legs. The lid is decorated with fret pattern incised on the side, with a knob shaped like a seated Girin looking backward. The animal has its horn damaged, a mane of spiral conch-shaped curls around the neck, the eyes expressed with black slip dots, and an open mouth to allow the incense smoke to be issued from it. The incense burner is evenly coated with attractively translucent jade-blue glaze. It is generally regarded as one of the greatest existing masterpieces made in the shape of auspicious animals and plants during the 12th century, regarded as the golden era of Goryeo celadon art.

Location