Three-legged Cauldron with a Handle from Cheonmachong Tomb

Cheonmachong Tomb is Tomb No. 155 among the Hwangnam-dong tumuli in Gyeongju. Excavated in 1973, it yielded many precious relics, including a gold crown and bracelets, together with a painting of a heavenly horse, from which the tomb came to be called Cheonmachong, the "Tomb of the Heavenly Horse". This cauldron with a handle from Cheonmachong Tomb is a vessel used for boiling or warming wine, food and medicine, and such vessels are found almost only in large tombs, including royal tombs. This bronze cauldron is 20.5 cm high, with a body 18 cm in diameter and a handle 13 cm long. It takes the overall form of a flattened, globe-shaped body fitted with a lid, standing on three legs shaped like animals. A single band runs horizontally around the body, above which is attached a spout in the form of a ram's head with curved horns, for pouring liquids. At a right angle to the spout is the handle, which is angular in section and hollow, and has a nail hole at its end, suggesting that a wooden extension handle was fitted on as needed. The lid bears a bud-shaped knob on top and is joined to the body by a hinge above the handle, allowing it to be opened and closed. The proportions of the body, the height of the legs and the length of the handle are well balanced, and the ram's-head spout is rendered in a notably realistic manner.

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Where it is

Region

Gyeongju, Gyeongbuk

Designation

Treasure · 보물