How does Dragon's head and wind chime elucidate its Introduction?
Korean peninsula has a long history of art. The Korean pottery shows advanced techniques and elaborate jewelry has been found buried in ancient Korean tombs. From 7th to 17th century AD, metal crafting was developed and fine metal works can be observed. Also Korean porcelain and painting was developed with its distinctive style. This Rafter finial in the shape of a dragon's head and wind chime is one of the finest metal works of Goryeo period. In the Korean art and culture, dragon figure holds a significant place. Specially, dragon is considered as the protector of humans as well as warding off evil spirits. This figure, displaying the fierceness of a dragon, shows how advanced metal work Goryeo craftsmen had. The bell, which functioned as a punggyeong (Korean: 풍경, lit. 'wind bell'), originally had a metal-plated clapped inside. Another similar example for the dragon's head and wind chime set can be seen at Leeum, Samsung Museum of Art, Seoul, and the dragon's head element is designated National Treasure No. 781.
punggyeong dragon Korean peninsula National Treasure Korean Korea Leeum, Samsung Museum of Art Goryeo pottery Seoul