This spoon forms part of a collection of over 40 Korean examples in the Museum. Large numbers of Korean spoons from a range of periods have survived intact because they were frequently used as burial objects and not exposed to degrading elements. This burial custom was practiced from the Three Kingdoms period (57 BC-AD 668) through the Choson period (AD 1392-1910). The shape and decoration of the spoon form in Korea has evolved over time. Among the earliest examples known are three from the Paekche kingdom (18 BC-AD 660), which have flaring, ribbed handles and ribbed and pointed bowls. In contrast, spoons of the Unified Silla period (AD 668-918) have straight, narrow handles and oval bowls. Those of the Koryo period, such as this example, have elegant curved handles and narrow, pointed bowls. The handle of this spoon ends in a lotus bud illustarting the influence of Buddhism at this time.