back to overview
 
18 photos
Earthenware tile with a monster mask (kwimyun) design, from Korea, Unified Silla dynasty, 7th-9th CE. The concept of using tiles decorated with monster masks to ward off evil spirits originated from China. The tiles were placed in each of the four cardinal directions on top of the roof of royal buildings and Buddhist temples. OA 1992.6-15.24
#03060147

Earthenware tile with a monster mask (kwimyun) design, from Korea, Unified Sill...

Celadon wine bottle, Koryo dynasty, 13th century. Classic shape of the Koryo dynasty (918-1392). This bottle has an inlay of chrysanthemums, a popular decoration during the Koryo period in celadon and in lacquerware. Such bottles were often placed in the tomb of their owners on their death. OA 1911.6-7.11
#03060163

Celadon wine bottle, Koryo dynasty, 13th century. Classic shape of the Koryo dyn...

Kundika (water sprinklers),Korean, Koryo dynasty, 12th ct. Watersprinklers were used in Buddhist rituals, to hold the "water of Life". Their form derived from similar Chinese vessels; they were mostly used during the Koryo dynasty, when Buddhism was established as the royal religion. OA 1974.10-31.1
#03070215

Kundika (water sprinklers),Korean, Koryo dynasty, 12th ct. Watersprinklers were...

Portrait of Li Bai, a Chinese poet,701-62 CE, also known as Li Po. Tang dynasty. From a Korean manuscript album portraying famous historical figures. Korea; 19th century. Shelfmark: Or. 11515 Page Folio Number: f.22
#03070330

Portrait of Li Bai, a Chinese poet,701-62 CE, also known as Li Po. Tang dynasty....

Korean bowl,19th,floral design. 12,5 cm across.
#05010463

Korean bowl,19th,floral design. 12,5 cm across.

Inside of Korean bowl,19th.Hills, house under trees. 12,5 cm across.
#05010464

Inside of Korean bowl,19th.Hills, house under trees. 12,5 cm across.

Two Korean bowls,cobalt blue,10,5 cm across.
#05010466

Two Korean bowls,cobalt blue,10,5 cm across.

Detail of one of the two Korean bowls of 05-01-04/66.
#05010467

Detail of one of the two Korean bowls of 05-01-04/66.

Stoneware stand, Korean, 5th-6th century. Silla was situated in the south-east corner of the Korean peninsula. As it absorbed the confederation of states known as Kaya in the sixth century, Silla also adopted many of its technological achievements, including pottery. Kayan potters were the most advanced in all of Korea, using the first kilns and the potter's wheel in the peninsula. This type of tall pedestal stand was common in Kaya, and later in Silla. The form of the opening is also Kayan. However, stands from Silla usually had a straighter profile, rather than the more curved profile of stands from Kaya. The stand's impressive size and dramatic shape imply that it had a ritual use. OA, 1994.5-21.10
#33011061

Stoneware stand, Korean, 5th-6th century. Silla was situated in the south-east c...

Pair of gold earrings from Korea, Silla dynasty, 5th-6th centuries. This pair of gold earrings appears to have been worn with strings around the ear lobe. Both the custom of wearing earrings, and the technique of granulation are thought have come to Korea through the Han colony at Nangnang in northern China. However, the Chinese wore glass earrings and it is thought that the Koreans introduced gold ones in the fourth century. The isolated kingdom of Silla was long known to Arab traders and travellers, who commented on the abundance of gold there. Excavations of royal tombs near Silla's capital, Kumsong, or 'City of Gold' (modern Kyongju) have unearthed magnificent royal regalia in sheet gold, including crowns, belts, shoes, earrings, necklaces and vessels. These earrings probably came from a tomb in the Kyongju area. OA, 1938.5-24.242
#33011062

Pair of gold earrings from Korea, Silla dynasty, 5th-6th centuries. This pair of...

Recording an event, from 'Album of Scenes from Daily Life', late Choson dynasty, 19th century. The central figure in purple robes can be seen writing on a long scroll of parchment. The late Choson period was a period of relative prosperity in Korea. Chin'gyong, or 'true-view' landscape paintings became fashionable among the scholar literati class, and depicted real scenes from the Korean landscape, rather than those copied from Chinese paintings. Scenes of daily life, such as this one, became popular among the growing middle class. Kim Hong-do was one of the most famous painters of these scenes. This album is one of at least two known copies of Hong-do's famous original. The paintings focus on people and their activities, with the background barely illustrated. Scenes incude schoolroom scenes, wrestling OA, 1961.5-13.04
#33011063

Recording an event, from 'Album of Scenes from Daily Life', late Choson dynasty,...

A Dance, from 'Album of Scenes from Daily Life', late Choson dynasty, 19th century. A figure dancing while musicians with various instruments play around him. The late Choson period was a period of relative prosperity in Korea. Chin'gyong, or 'true-view' landscape paintings became fashionable among the scholar literati class, and depicted real scenes from the Korean landscape, rather than those copied from Chinese paintings. Scenes of daily life, such as this one, became popular among the growing middle class. Kim Hong-do was one of the most famous painters of these scenes. This album is one of at least two known copies of Hong-do's famous original. The paintings focus on people and their activities, with the background barely illustrated. Scenes incude schoolroom scenes, wrestling, and other everyday activities. OA, 1961.5-13.04
#33011064

A Dance, from 'Album of Scenes from Daily Life', late Choson dynasty, 19th centu...