Covered Bowl Used in Royal Funerary and Mourning Rites
Covered Bowl, White porcelain
  • Joseon Dynasty, 15th-16th century
  • Horim Museum
  • Treasure

This covered bowl is regarded as an outstanding example of early Joseon porcelain, notable for its elegant form and subtle coloration. Its shape closely resembles that of the banbal (飯鉢), a rice bowl depicted among the burial goods in the Hyungnye (Mourning Rites) section of the Five Rites in the Annals of King Sejong. In 1447, the use of white porcelain was officially permitted in place of silverware in royal shrines such as Munsojeon and Hwideokjeon. This covered bowl reflects the high level of craftsmanship and the refined characteristics of white porcelain that replaced precious gold and silver vessels in royal rites during the early Joseon period.