Epitaph Case

This large ceramic vessel with a lid was used to contain the epitaph of Bak Gyu-su (1807-1877), which was probably written on several blue-and-white porcelain plaques and buried in his grave. The lid bears an inscription of his various names and the titles of his most recent positions in the Joseon government:

"The grave of Lord Bak Gyu-su, courtesy name Hwangyeong, pen-name Hwanjae, who served the State of Joseon as Third State Councilor and Principal Academician, Seated Northeast."