Bronze Dish with Long-life Emblem Design

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This splendid bronze dish by Yi Bong-ju, Master Craftsman of Bronzeware, was created by several thousand beats of a hammer. After the alloy of copper and tin passes through the door of secrets through the long process of forging, the result is an exhibition of beauty that manifests the glorious brilliance of gold.

The bronze items made in this fashion are only known to exist in Korea, where the art was used for creating the highest-quality kitchen utensils for the royal households and aristocratic families.

A piece of Korean bronze ware like this one demonstrates the remarkable feature of changing color if it touches poisonous substances, such as chemicals, in food; thus, it keeps food fresh for a long period of time and even kills harmful bacteria that cause food poisoning. The amazing capacity of this utensil has even been proved by a recent scientific test.