Bronze Eunipsa Poryusugeummun Hyangwan

Basic information

Designation

Treasure No.778

Category

Craft

Era

고려시대 후기

Designated year

1984

Location

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

Coordinates

37.536528, 126.996187

This artifact is a burner used in Buddhist temples to burn incense to clear one's mind of unworthy thoughts. It is called hyangwang, hyangno or hwawan. This hyangwan is inlaid with silver thread. It is 30.4 cm tall while the diameter of the mouth is 27.5 cm and that of the base is 22.3 cm. The silver thread technique cuts a grove in the surface of bronze and inserts fine silver lines into it. This is a special feature often found in incense burners and other metallic tools from the Goryeo Dynasty. Engraved on the body of the burner is a portrayal of water ducks swimming beneath a willow tree. In addition, there are ornaments decorated with lotus flower designs resembling those found in memorial tablets. Engraved on these ornaments are a total of 34 letters in 5 lines. However, the inscription does not indicate the date of production. Lotus flowers are engraved on the upper part of the support and vines on the support, while clouds are found at the base. The design of ducks and willow trees is often found on metal inlaid celadon porcelain. The value of this incense burner can be estimated to be high since this design is not found on the surface of other burners from the same period.

Location