Long-Necked Jar with Figurines

National Treasure #195
Silla, 5th-6th century A.D.
Gyeongju, Korea

This large stoneware jar is decorated with applied animal and human figures that are usually interpreted as symbols of fertility and abundance. These include a crawling turtle, and a snake that is twisting through a log behind which a human is seated. Various other animals climb the neck. Incised into the jar are three bands of dotted circles between vertical comb lines.