Bronze Incense Burner with Silver-inlaid Design of Bongeunsa Temple

Basic information

Designation

Treasure No.321

Category

Craft

Era

고려 충혜왕<재> 5년(1344)

Designated year

1963

Location

종로구, 서울특별시— 서울 종로구 우정국로 55, 불교중앙박물관 (견지동,광교빌딩)

Coordinates

37.511727, 127.049951

Hyangno is a general term for objects used for burning incense in a temple, which are meant to clean the grime of the mind. There are other names such as hwawan and hyangwan, but hyangno is the all-inclusive term regardless of the shape and size. Hwawan and Hyangwan refer to those incense burners that have a bowl-shaped body supported by a trumpet-shaped high strut. This Hyangwan (Bronze Incense Burner), with a height of 37 cm and a diameter of 51 cm, is the second biggest burner after the one at Pyohunsa Temple in Geumgangsan Mountain. The surface is inlaid all around with a thin silver thread pattern. On the broad outline surface of the mouth are lotus flower and vine patterns, and on the surface of the edge is a lightning pattern. In the middle of the body are four double circles at four sides facing each other which enclose a Sanskrit letter respectively and flower prints around the letter. The other space except the circles is decorated with a beautiful vine pattern and the lower part of the body is encircled by long two-lined lotus petals. The stand, with two tiers on the bottom, has lotus flower, vine and bead patterns. The upper part of the stand is engraved with twin-outlined lotus flowers, and the lower part is vine patterned. This burner is well balanced compared to other hyangno of the time. Moreover the patterns that fill the surface are elegant, and the polished silver thread inlaying method adds some delicacy. The 103 letters on the rear of the mouth outline are also made with silver thread, of which “4th year of Jijeong” means the 5th year of the reign of King Chunghye (1334) of Goryeo. This hyangno is important as the best example of an incense burner made in the reign of Chunghye.

Location