A small bronze incense burner is of a shape associated with Buddhist temple ritual.  It is not, however, a Koryo piece like famous inlaid bronze, the technique of the decoration and the seven Chinese characters of the inscription all place it in the late Choson dynasty, probably the nineteenth to early 20th century.  It has a flat, outward-spreading rim with characters of commemoration of visiting Tongdosa temple (Korea's largest temple and head of Buddhist temple) in south Korea, built in the year 643.  This half-size copy of a Koryo incense burner may have been made for respected patron visitors to the temple.
Height: 18.8 cm