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8. his container is made in two separate parts. The lid
Buddhist incense burner Tis cone-shaped, with three tiers that encircle the top.
8th–10th century, Unified Silla–Goryeo There are four holes pierced equidistant from each other
TL results: fired between 1,000 & 1,600 years ago between the second and third tiers. Below the third tier is
Earthenware a band with diagonal impressions which resembles twisted
H: 27 cm, W: 23.5 cm rope. The lid sits like a roof over the lower portion of the
container, which has four sets of four vertical piercings,
each set placed equidistant from the other. Below this, near
the bottom of the receptacle portion of this piece, are im-
pressed short, diagonal lines. This is followed by a piecrust-
like fringe. The receptacle rests atop a flared foot. There are
remains of an orange-colored pigment.
Judging by the piercings along the walls of the receptacle
and on the lid, this container was most likely used as an in-
cense burner. The three tiers on the lid represent honorific
parasols which adorn Buddhist reliquaries, called stupas.
The reliquaries, originally Indian in origin, were introduced
to Korea with Buddhism. The feature of the three parasols
is often found on domed Buddhist reliquaries of the Uni-
fied Silla period. A ceramic chimney in the collection of the
Harvard Art Museum, made of similar body material and
1
also adorned with the piecrust-like element, is dated from
the eighth to tenth century.
1 Harvard Art Museum/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Partial gift of Maria C. Henderson and partial
purchase through the Ernest B. and Helen Pratt Dane Fund for the Acquisition of Oriental Art,
1991.533.
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