- Nationality/Period
Goryeo Dynasty
- Provenance
Gaeseong area
- Materials
Ceramics - Celadon
- Category
Food - Tableware - Foods and Drinks - kettle
- Dimensions
H. 17.3cm, W. 20.2cm
- Designation
National Treasure 96
- Accession Number
Deoksu 5636
This ewer is shaped like a tortoise seated on a lotus flower. The face and the neck of the tortoise appear to resemble those of the sculpted tortoises that used as platforms for stone statues dating back to the Goryeo period. The beard, mane, teeth, scales, and horn on the forehead are all exquisitely portrayed. Particles of metal pigment were used to create the eyes. The Chinese character 王 (meaning “king”) is inscribed on the hexagonal patterns on the back of the tortoise, presumably referring to the social status of the user.