Spoon with Fish-Tail Design (Cleveland Museum of Art 1918.508)
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
918–1392
Many of Goryeo period spoons like this one feature a curved handle that splits into a jagged fishtail design. This fishtail design is not unique to Korea; it was also widely used in the area under the rule of two non-Han Chinese states: Liao (907–1125) and Jin (1115–1234).
These seemingly ordinary objects testify to exciting material interactions between the Goryeo dynasty and non-Han Chinese northern states, which were often omitted from the official records. Cleveland Museum of Art object 1918.508: Spoon with Fish-Tail Design (연미형 청동 수저 [魚尾形靑銅匙]), 918–1392. Korea, Goryeo dynasty (918–1392). Bronze; overall: 26.9 cm (10 9/16 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
- bronze
- Dimensions
- Overall: 26.9 cm (10 9/16 in.)
- Measurements
- Overall: 26.9 cm (10 9/16 in.)
- Material and technique
- bronze
Identification
- Date recorded
- 918–1392
- Culture period
- Korea, Goryeo dynasty (918–1392)
- Holding institution
- Cleveland Museum of Art
- Museum object number
- 1918.508
- Published references
- Goryeo Dynasty: Korea's Age of Enlightenment, 918-1392 . San Francisco: Asian Art Museum, 2003. 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. Goryeo: The Glory of Korea [대고려, 그 찬란한 도전]. Seoul: National Museum of Korea, 2018. Horlyck, Charlotte. "The Eternal Link: Grave Goods of the Koryŏ Kingdom (918-1392 CE)." Ars Orientalis , no. 44 (2014): 156–179.
- 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.