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Bronze Incense Burner with Silver-inlaid Design of Baekjangam Hermitage

백장암 청동 은입사 향로 ( 百丈庵 靑銅 銀入絲 香爐 )

Heritage Search Detail
Classification Treasure
Name of Cultural Properties Bronze Incense Burner with Silver-inlaid Design of Baekjangam Hermitage
Quantity 1 incense burner
Designated Date 1965.07.16
Age The 17th year of the reign of King Seonjo of Joseon (1584)
Address Baekjangam Hermitage 447-76, Cheonwangbong-ro, Sannae-myeon, Namwon, Jeollabuk-do

Hyangno (also known as hwawan or hyangwan in Korean) are incense burners that were used to burn incense in a temple so as to cleanse the mind. Hyangno is an all-inclusive term regardless of the shape or size of the burner, while hwawan and hyangwan refer only to bowl-shaped incense burners supported by a high trumpet-shaped strut. This bronze incense burner with an exquisite silver-inlay design of Baekjangam Hermitage is 30 cm tall and 30 cm in diameter. Its body and base were made separately and fitted together. It is a great work of work that is entirely covered with silver-inlay. Rimmed around the mouth are nine thin circles, in which Sanskrit characters are engraved, while all the other spaces are filled with vine patterns. The body of the burner is engraved with large circles with double thin rims using silver threads in which five small circles and five Sanskrit characters are engraved, with vine patterns filling the space between the circles. The lower part of the body is decorated with eighteen lotus petals. The incense burner has two bases: the upper base, which is designed with patterns of six long lotus petals, and the lower base, which is decorated with vine patterns. According to the letters inscribed just beneath the rim of the mouth, this bronze incense burner was made in 1584 (the 17th year of the reign of King Seonjo of the Joseon Dynasty).