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| ▲This photo provided by the National Palace Museum of Korea show photo of 'Silver ewer with Incised Rabbit and Crow Design.' (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
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| ▲This photo provided by the National Palace Museum of Korea show photo of 'Silver ewer with Incised Rabbit and Crow Design.' (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
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| ▲This photo provided by the National Palace Museum of Korea show photo of the flag. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
SEOUL January 2 (Yonhap) -- In celebration of 2023, the Year of the Rabbit, the National Palace Museum of Korea, selected “Silver Ewer with Incised Rabbit and Crow Designs” as its “Curator’s Choice from the Royal Treasures” for the month of January, addressed National Palace Museum of Korea on Monday.
The ewer which will be on display in the Korean Empire Gallery located on the first floor of the museum is expected to have been created within the 19th century.
The “Silver ewer with Incised Rabbit and Crow Design” with height of 29.5 cm was assumed to have been used as the silverware for water or drinks during the ancestral rites and at banquets in the royal court.
Overall, the “Silver ewer with Incised Rabbit and Crow Design” is made out of silver, however some parts of the parts within the lid and designs have been gilded.
The base features an inscription in Hangeul mixed with Chinese characters, reading “十室”
Moreover the “Silver ewer with Incised Rabbit and Crow Design” showcases, design of a three-legged crow and a design of a rabbit pounding something with a mortar and pestle.
Sam Jok oh, three legged crow is considered to be an imaginary animal according to the ancient East Asian history, living in the sun. Also, the crow symbol located within the symbol in the middle seem to represent the sun.
Rabbits have long been considered a symbol of fertility and wisdom. Above all else, they have been associated with the representation of pounding the elixir of immortality with a mortar and pestle based on ancient tales involving the Queen Mother of the West. It is for this reason that rabbits have come to represent the moon.
The lid has a knob in the form of a lotus bud and designs of bats symbolizing good fortune incised on its surface.
“Silver ewer with Incised Rabbit and Crow Design” is expected to have been used at very important events given that the artifact withholds symbols for Sun, Moon and more.
“Given the paintings resembling the usage of the ‘Silver ewer with Incised Rabbit and Crow Design’ it can be estimated to have been used during the parties and celebrations held within the palace.” addressed official from the National Palace Museum of Korea.
The National Palace Museum of Korea houses a number of interesting items related to rabbits. In addition to Silver Ewer with Incised Rabbit and Crow Designs, items such as a flag featuring a design of the moon and a rabbit can be viewed in the Royal Rituals of the Joseon Dynasty Gallery on the B1 floor of the museum.
Moreover, this month’s Curator’s Choice will be presented virtually through a video with Korean and English subtitles on the museum’s website and on the YouTube channel of the museum.
(This article is translated from Korean to English by Joonha Yoo)
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