Spoon (Cleveland Museum of Art 1917.348)
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
918–1392
Celadons, spoons, seals, and bronze mirrors were the most common burial objects in tombs during the Goryeo period (918-1392). Furnishing tombs with an elaborate assemblage of objects was believed to honor and comfort the newly dead.
Generally, Goryeo tombs were left untouched until the late 19th century. During the colonial period (1910–45), however, Japanese archaeologists hastily excavated the tombs located in Kaeseong, the former capital of the Goryeo dynasty. Scholars recently have proposed that toward the end of the 14th century, Koreans enjoyed meat-based soups more than any other dishes, explaining why many more spoons than chopsticks were buried in tombs.
Cleveland Museum of Art object 1917.348: Spoon (은동 수저 [銀銅匙]), 918–1392. Korea, Goryeo dynasty (918–1392). Silver bronze; overall: 27 cm (10 5/8 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
- silver bronze
- Dimensions
- Overall: 27 cm (10 5/8 in.)
- Measurements
- Overall: 27 cm (10 5/8 in.)
- Material and technique
- silver bronze
Identification
- Date recorded
- 918–1392
- Culture period
- Korea, Goryeo dynasty (918–1392)
- Holding institution
- Cleveland Museum of Art
- Museum object number
- 1917.348
- Published references
- L. W. "Korean Bronze Spoons of the Korai Dynasty." The Bulletin of the Cleveland Museum of Art 4, no. 6 (1917): 99–101. Reproduced: Front Matter; Mentioned: pp. 99-101 Goryeo Dynasty: Korea's Age of Enlightenment, 918-1392 . San Francisco: Asian Art Museum, 2003. Horlyck, Charlotte. "The Eternal Link: Grave Goods of the Koryŏ Kingdom (918-1392 CE)." Ars Orientalis , no. 44 (2014): 156–179. Yun, Seong-jae. “The Special Meanings of Spoons and Chopsticks in the Goryeo Dynasty [고려시대 분묘출토 청동수저].” Yeoksa wa silhak (2015): 51–68. Bronze in Life and Art [삶과 예술 속. 청동 靑銅 이야기] National Cheongju Museum (2016). Jeong, Eui-do. Changes of Spoons during the Late Goryeo Period [고려후기 숟가락의 변화].” Hanguk jungse gogohak (2017): 139–157.
- 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.