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.

Artwork Details

Overview

Provenance

Exhibition History

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
Curatorial Department: Asian Art

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