Accession Number
2021/1.161

Title
Incense container

Artist(s)
Korean

Artist Nationality
Korean (culture or style)

Object Creation Date
19th century

Medium & Support
wood

Dimensions
3 5/16 x 2 13/16 x 2 13/16 in. (8.3 x 7.1 x 7.1 cm)

Credit Line
Gift and partial purchase from Bruce and Inta Hasenkamp, purchase with funds from Elder and Mrs Sang-Yong Nam

Subject matter
A wooden container for holding incense.

Physical Description
Container made by turning a single piece of wood on a lathe. Lid is crowned with mushroom-shaped knob, and shoulder is formed around mouth to support lid. The lid and body are ribbed. A letter resembling the Chinese character 'mok' meaning wood or tree is written in onk on the base of the container. The inside shows traces of having been carved with a knife.

These containers were made by turning single pieces of wood on a lathe. Their lids are crowned with mushroom-shaped knobs, and shoulder is formed around the mouth to support the lid. Plate 345 (UA2004.60) is decorated with sets of double concentric circles at two places of the upper surface of its lid, and at one place around its side. Also around the body are carved two sets of double circles, and the container is painted with red ocher. Meanwhile, the lid and the body of plate 346 (UA2004.61) are ribbed. A letter resembling the Chinese character “mok (木: wood or tree)” is written in ink on the base of this container. Inside, it shows traces of having been carved with a knife.

[Korean Collection, University of Michigan Museum of Art (2017) p. 275]

Primary Object Classification
Ritual Object

Primary Object Type
incense container

Collection Area
Asian

Rights
If you are interested in using an image for a publication, please visit http://umma.umich.edu/request-image for more information and to fill out the online Image Rights and Reproductions Request Form. Keywords
containers (receptacles)
incense
incense burners
woodworking