This antique porcelain plat is elegantly decorated with sipjangsaeng, ten creatures that ancient Koreans, influenced by the Taoist philosophy, believed were created to enjoy eternal youth: sun, stone, water, cloud, pine tree, deer, bulnocho ('herb of eternal youth'), turtle, crane, and mountain. Inspired by the belief in a Taoist utopian world resided by Taoist elders who had found the secret of eternal life, ancient Koreans revealed their dreams of such a world through the ten creatures. These symbols significantly impacted the lives and thoughts of the Korean people, from royalty down to common folks, and appeared in numerous objects and places including walls, paintings, poetry, proverbs, furniture, personal belongings and ornaments. In this antique porcelain plate, the design of ten creatures is exquisitely carved in relief on the surface of the jade-blue body. Read More

Size: 8.7"W x 8.7"H (22 x 22cm)