Earthenware Boat-shaped Funerary Object

Basic information

Designation

Treasure No.555

Category

Craft

Era

가야시대(5∼6세기)

Designated year

1971

Location

용산구, 서울특별시— 서울 용산구 이태원로55길 60-16, 삼성미술관 리움 (한남동)

Coordinates

37.536528, 126.996187

This earthenware in the shape of a rowboat measures 9.1㎝ in height and 27.9㎝ in length. This pottery is slightly longer than other similar items discovered thus far, with the length of the bottom also exceeding the average. The left and right sides are almost perfectly symmetric, and the extremities of the bow and stern are elongated and turned up in a manner to form a hemispherical shape. The hemispherical-shaped tips have each two holes on them. There are several oarlocks along the edges, though mostly broken off. Passengers seats inside the boat are both on the left and right sides. The oarsman’s seat is separated from the rest of the boat by partitions that are present in three places. Incised dotted lines run zigzag on the lateral sides, across the entire exterior surface. The pottery is partially coated, on both sides, with a natural glaze of a dark greenish brown hue. Boat-shaped potteries of this kind were frequently used as grave goods and are said to ferry the soul of the deceased to the world of the dead. While the site of discovery is unknown, the item is estimated to date from the 5th-6th century and is expected to yield new insights into vessels used in ancient times.

Location