Earthenware Horn Cups with Horse Head Decoration

Basic information

Designation

Treasure No.598

Category

Craft

Era

삼국시대(신라 토기)

Designated year

1975

Location

서구, 부산광역시— 부산광역시 서구 구덕로 (부민동2가, 동아대학교부민캠퍼스) 동아대학교박물관

Coordinates

35.104699, 129.019336

These two horn cups with a horse head decoration was excavated from the shell mound in Bokcheon-dong, Dongnae-gu, Busan (Tomb No. 7). Both cups that are actually made with an animal horn and earthenware or metal cups in the shape of a horn are referred to as gakbae (horn cup) in Korean. Horn cups of various types have been discovered, in great quantities, in graves located in areas that were former territories of Silla and Gaya. These two horn cups are arguably the best of them and masterpieces of their kind. The larger of them stands 14.4㎝ tall, measuring 17㎝ in length, and the smaller one has a height of 12.1㎝ and length of 17㎝. Aside from the difference in size, the two are overall identical, both in shape and the way they were crafted. A horse head is at the tail end of the cup which is held in upright position by two small feet located under the bottom arc. The horse head, although simple and even somewhat crude, expresses well the characteristic features of a horse. There are traces left from the use of a sculpting knife on the surface of the cups.

Location