Spoon with Dual Heads (Cleveland Museum of Art 1917.332)
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
918–1392
This bronze spoon has dual heads: one is large, and the other small. The smaller head is believed to have been used to hold a small dose of liquid medicine. Cleveland Museum of Art object 1917.332: Spoon with Dual Heads (약시형 청동 수저 [藥匙形靑銅匙]), 918–1392. overall: 24.8 cm (9 3/4 in.). Details are those of this museum object; how far it represents a wider type has not been independently verified.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Historical context
Bronze spoons are the most common burial item. Scholars have proposed that toward the end of the 14th century, Koreans enjoyed meat-based soups more than any other dishes, explaining why spoons became common household items as well as burial goods.
Physical characteristics
- Materials
- Research required
- Dimensions
- Overall: 24.8 cm (9 3/4 in.)
- Measurements
- Overall: 24.8 cm (9 3/4 in.)
Identification
- Date recorded
- 918–1392
- Holding institution
- Cleveland Museum of Art
- Museum object number
- 1917.332
- Published references
- L.W. "Korean Bronze Spoons of the Korai Dynasty." The Bulletin of the Cleveland Museum of Art , vol. 4, no. 6 (August 1917): 99-101. Reproduced: p. 98, 101 · Kungnip Munhwajae Yŏn'guso (Korea), and Philadelphia Museum of Art. Miguk P'illadelp'ia Misulgwan sojang Han'guk munhwajae = Korean art collection of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, U.S.A. Taejŏn Kwangyŏksi: Kungnip Munhwajae Yŏn'guso, 2008. Reproduced: p. 169-174, no. 197-208, Mentioned: p. 298 · Kungnip Cheju Pangmulgwan, and Kungnip Ch'ŏngju Pangmulgwan (Korea). Kŭmsok kongye e kittŭn Koryŏin ŭi sam = The spirit of Goryeo in metalcrafts . Sŏul: Piei Tijain parhaeng, 2011. Reproduced: p. 29, no. 16-17, Mentioned: p.97 · Horlyck Charlotte. "The Eternal Link: Grave Goods of the Koryŏ Kingdom (918-1392 CE)." Ars Orientalis , no. 44 (2014): 156-79. Reproduced: p. 167, no. 8-9, Mentioned: p. 167-171 · Chŏng, Ŭi-do. Han'guk kodae sutkarak yŏn'gu = Les cuillers en bronze de la Corée ancienne. Sŏul: Kyŏngin Munhwasa, 2014. · Yoon, Sung-Jae. "The aspects and meaning of spoon and chopsticks in Koryo Dynasty." The Journal of History and Practical Thought Studies 56 (April 2015): 51-68. Reproduced: p. 6, no. 3; p. 7, no. 4, Mentioned: 1-18
- Museum classification
- Metalwork
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.
Research required
- Research required: this record describes a single museum object; confirm maker, marks and date against silver and metalwork references.