Silver Teapot for Feasts and Rituals Containing Sun, Moon, and Blessings

National Palace Museum of Korea January Recommended Royal Artifacts Selection

The National Palace Museum announced on the 2nd that, in celebration of the 'Year of the Rabbit,' it has selected the 'Silver Gilt Ewer with Rabbit and Crow Engravings (銀鍍金日月甁)' from the 'Korean Empire' exhibition hall as the curator's recommended royal artifact for January. It is a silver ewer, 29.5 cm tall, believed to have been made in the 19th century. It was used to pour alcohol or water during royal banquets or rituals. Made of silver, parts of the patterned areas and the lid are gilded with gold.

The bottom is engraved with the characters '십실 (十室),' and on the front, back, and center of the body are images of a three-legged crow and a pounding rabbit. The three-legged crow is called Samjok-o (三足烏), a mythical creature believed in ancient East Asia to live in the sun. On the silver ewer, it is understood to symbolize the sun. Conversely, the pounding rabbit represents the moon. In ancient Chinese legends related to the Queen Mother of the West, the rabbit is often depicted pounding a mortar on the moon to make the 'elixir of immortality,' which grants eternal life. On the lotus bud-shaped lid of the ewer, a bat pattern can be seen, symbolizing the arrival of good fortune.

A museum official explained, "Since it contains images of the sun, moon, and good fortune, it is presumed to have been used on special occasions," adding, "Paintings with the same motifs remain in records such as the 'Jinchaneuigwe' and 'Jinyeonyeuigwe,' which document royal banquets, necessary items, and personnel during King Gojong's reign, indicating that it was mainly used at auspicious banquets."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.