Pyochungsa Temple: Incense Burner with Silver Inlay

SOUTH KOREA, South Gyeongsang, Milrang; Goryeo dynasty

It is believed that this offering instrument was once originally part of the collection of Yongheongsa Temple, since there is an inscription “Yongheongsa Temple” produced by stippling underneath the foot of the burner. It is currently kept at Pyochungsa Temple. It is thought to be the oldest silver-inlay incense burner in Korea and was listed as a National Treasure in 1962.
The foot is wide and the curved stem has depictions of clouds and dragons. The support for the bowl is engraved with two tiers of lotus petals. On the side, there are four circles, each with a Sanskrit Seed syllable in silver inlay at the center. The rim has Sanskrit seed syllables inscribed on top, while underneath there is a 55 word inscription including the year 1177.