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Box (lid)

918-1392

The Cleveland Museum of Art

The Cleveland Museum of Art
Cleveland, United States

Celadons, spoons, seals, and bronze mirrors were the most common burial objects in tombs during the Goryeo period (918–1392). Once used to contain colored powder, rouge, and eyebrow gel for makeup, this small container was one of the standard goods that furnished elites' tombs. Both women and men used the grain powder of rice or millet for whitening their skin, safflower extract for rouge, and plant ash or soot for eyebrow gel. Yet, natural-looking makeup seems to have been the most favorable one in Korea according to the travelogue by Xu Jing (1091–1153), the Chinese diplomat who visited Korea in 1123.

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Learn more about this artwork.
  • Title: Box (lid)
  • Date Created: 918-1392
  • Physical Dimensions: Diameter: 19.4 cm (7 5/8 in.); Overall: 12.7 cm (5 in.)
  • Type: Ceramic
  • Rights: CC0
  • External Link: https://clevelandart.org/art/1916.1186.b
  • Medium: earthenware
  • Fun Fact: This lidded ceramic container was used to store either incense or cosmetics.
  • Department: Korean Art
  • Culture: Korea, Goryeo period (918-1392)
  • Credit Line: John L. Severance Collection
  • Collection: Korean Art
  • Accession Number: 1916.1186.b
The Cleveland Museum of Art

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