Set of miniature burial vessels (myonggi)

Material Information

Title:
Set of miniature burial vessels (myonggi)
Series Title:
Objects of instruction : treasures of SOAS
Added title page title:
Myonggi
Donor:
Percival David Foundation Study Collection.
Place of Publication:
Korea
Publication Date:

Subjects

Subjects / Keywords:
Grave goods ( lcsh )
Burial pottery
Burial vessels
아시아 -- 한국
Spatial Coverage:
Asia -- Korea
Coordinates:
38.316667 x 127.233333

Notes

Abstract:
During the Chosŏn period (1392-1910), sets of miniature burial vessels were made in porcelain as well in punch’ŏng stoneware, though porcelain examples, as here, are the most common. Normally myŏnggi are roughly potted, as befits wares meant to be buried rather than put on display, but like the Moon Jar of the previous entry they have an artless simplicity that makes them attractive in their own way. The tradition of using myonggi as burial vessels began in the early Chosŏn period, when the Neo-Confucians urged people to follow Zhu Xi’s Family Rituals (Zhuzi jiali). Zhu Xi argued that miniature rather than life-sized vessels should be used for burial, and examples tend to measure from approximately 3 to 10 centimetres in height. (Text by John T. Carpenter and Yoshiko Yasumura, from the exhibition catalogue: Objects of instruction : treasures of the School of Oriental and African Studies, Anna Contadini, Editor. London : SOAS, University of London, 2007.) ( en )
General Note:
The 'Objects of instruction : the treasures of SOAS' exhibition was funded through a generous gift from the Foyle Foundation and with the support of the Arts & Humanities Research Council.
General Note:
Source: A. Contadini (ed.), Objects of instruction : treasures of the School of Oriental and African Studies. London : SOAS, University of London, 2007. Listed as item number: 18
General Note:
Korea, Chosŏn dynasty, 18th century.
General Note:
Various heights, ranging from 5 to 10 cm
Acquisition:
This item is now held by the British Museum.

Record Information

Source Institution:
British Museum
Rights Management:
All applicable rights reserved by the source institution and holding location.