Beomeosacheongdongeunipsa Temple Incense Burner

A hyangwan is a vessel used in temples for burning incense, symbolising the washing away of the defilements of the mind; it is also called a hyangno, or incense burner. This example, held at Beomeosa Temple, follows the typical Goryeo-period form, with a wide rimmed brim at the mouth and a trumpet-shaped stand. It stands 28.2 cm high with a mouth diameter of 27.4 cm; because the height and mouth diameter are so close in size, the piece gives an overall impression of stability. Silver thread is inlaid across the entire surface in a simplified scrolling vine pattern. Heavy curved lines are also sparsely engraved on the upper and lower parts of the body, and around the middle two concentric circles are drawn, with Sanskrit letters inscribed inside them and, outside, a saw-tooth pattern of crossing diagonal lines. On the upper part of the stand, simplified curved lines resembling a variant of the vine pattern are engraved between two horizontal lines, and on the lower part, at an angled tier, an inscription of some 44 characters is inlaid in silver thread. This incense burner was made in 1651, the second year of King Hyojong of Joseon. Because it records both the date and the place of its manufacture, it is an important resource for studying the style of Joseon-period incense burners.

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Where it is

Region

Geumjeong-gu, Busan

Designation

Cultural Heritage Material · 문화유산자료