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A set of utensils used to contain food offered to Buddha at a ritual unearthed from Ingaksa Temple in Gunwi

군위 인각사 출토 공양구 일괄 ( 軍威 麟角寺 出土 供養具 一括 )

Heritage Search Detail
Classification Treasure
Name of Cultural Properties A set of utensils used to contain food offered to Buddha at a ritual unearthed from Ingaksa Temple in Gunwi
Quantity 18 items in 9 categories
Designated Date 2019.05.02
Age United Silla Period
Address Jongno-gu, Seoul

A set of utensils used to contain food offered to Buddha at a ritual unearthed from Ingaksa Temple in Gunwi was unearthed from a site east of the site of No.1 building, Ingaksa Temple in 2008. It is composed of a total of 18 items of metal artifacts/earthenware. It is thought to date from the Unified Silla Period - the early Goryeo Period. The metal artifacts (11 items) include a gilt-bronze iron-shaped incense burner with handles, an incense container, a kundika bottle, a bronze drum, etc. As items used in a ritual at a temple, they display good esthetic quality and exquisite workmanship. The gilt-bronze Kalavinka symbolizing a heavenly bird is an object, the like of which has scarcely been known among those unearthed in the country. The bronze bowl/dish display a typical shape of such items which had been in fashion since the Unified Silla Period and shows what the handicraft workmanship was like at that time. The seven celadon items are all guessed to be those made in China. At the time of unearthing, they were stacked within each other. They will serve as a reference point for dating the metal objects unearthed together. The celadon items are guessed to have been made between the end of the 8th Century and the early 10th Century. They will serve as a reference point for dating Chinese-made pottery unearthed in the country and celadon items made in the country as well. Most of the metal artifacts dating back to the late Silla Period – the early Goryeo Period unearthed so far are those handed down at temples or the like. In contrast, these relics are unique as a set of metal objects and celadon items dating from an early period unearthed together. Most of the metal artifacts between late Silla and early Goryeo period are relics that handed down in temples or museums. However, the utensil set excavated from Ingaksa Temple includes rare metal utensils and celadons; it is thought to be a valuable item from a historic/academic perspective, as it is clear where they were unearthed and when they date from.