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Female figures for a funerary bier

20th century

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 233

These seven figures depict young women with double-knotted hairstyles and older women with bouffant styles holding fans and auspicious objects like lotus buds, mushrooms, and peaches—all symbols of immortality. Called kkokdu (bier ornaments), sculptures like these are placed on a sangyeo (funerary bier) to serve the deceased in the afterlife. This group is possibly linked to the Daoist Chilseong, or Seven Stars Spirits, who also appear as women in Korean shaman paintings. Kkokdu can also represent longevity, health, and the well-being of children.

Female figures for a funerary bier, Polychrome painted wood, Korea — This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Female figures for a funerary bier, Polychrome painted wood, Korea

Female figures for a funerary bier, Polychrome painted wood, Korea

Female figures for a funerary bier, Polychrome painted wood, Korea

Female figures for a funerary bier, Polychrome painted wood, Korea

Female figures for a funerary bier, Polychrome painted wood, Korea

Female figures for a funerary bier, Polychrome painted wood, Korea

Female figures for a funerary bier, Polychrome painted wood, Korea

Female figures for a funerary bier, Polychrome painted wood, Korea

Female figures for a funerary bier, Polychrome painted wood, Korea

Female figures for a funerary bier, Polychrome painted wood, Korea

Female figures for a funerary bier, Polychrome painted wood, Korea

Female figures for a funerary bier, Polychrome painted wood, Korea

Female figures for a funerary bier, Polychrome painted wood, Korea

Female figures for a funerary bier, Polychrome painted wood, Korea

Female figures for a funerary bier, Polychrome painted wood, Korea

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This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

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This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

꼭두 목우 대한민국
木偶大韓民國
Chilyeon kokkdu

Title: Female figures for a funerary bier

Date: 20th century

Culture: Korea

Medium: Polychrome painted wood

Dimensions: A: H. 15 in. × W. 4 7/8 in. × D. 1 1/2 in. (38.1 × 12.4 × 3.8 cm)
B: H. 14 1/8 × W. 4 3/8 × D. 1 5/8 in. (35.9 × 11.1 × 4.1 cm)
C: H. 14 1/4 in. × W. 6 in. × D. 1 5/8 in. (36.2 × 15.2 × 4.1 cm)
D: H. 14 5/8 in. × W. 5 in. × D. 1 1/2 in. (37.1 × 12.7 × 3.8 cm)
E: H. 14 1/8 × W. 4 3/4 × D. 1 3/4 in. (35.9 × 12.1 × 4.4 cm)
F: H. 14 1/2 in. × W. 6 in. × D. 1 1/2 in. (36.8 × 15.2 × 3.8 cm)
G: H. 14 7/8 × W. 4 3/4 × D. 1 1/2 in. (37.8 × 12.1 × 3.8 cm)
On stand: H. 20 1/4 × W. 37 1/2 × D. 5 1/4 in. (51.4 × 95.3 × 13.3 cm)

Classification: Woodwork

Credit Line: Gift of the children of Lea R. Sneider, 2024

Object Number: 2024.301.2a–g

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