Gilt-bronze Incense Burner of Baekje

The Burner embraces the mind of the Baekje people who delicately chased their ideal world with exquisite techniques and high appreciative eyes.

The musical instrument called 'Wanham' (완함; 阮咸) was first introduced to the Tang dynasty in the 7th century after the Baekje kingdom disappeared into oblivion.

The lid also has different kinds of scenery including six types of trees, boulders, trails, waterfalls, and lakes which may symbolize the ideal landscape of a Taoist hermit.

The dragon is surrounded by a blowing bronze motif of clouds, and its own tail is arched, giving the base a sense of movement.

The discovery that this archaeological find is different from the Han dynasty incense burners means a lot to historians, archaeologists and bibliographers internationally.

The fact that the musical instrument originated from Kucha, which provided an oasis and gateway to the Silk Road, sheds new light onto the then-current geopolitical equilibrium, cultural exchanges, and trade routes extending towards the three kingdoms on the Korean Peninsula and ancient Japan as well.

In other words, the musical instrument, even before it was eponymically named wanham in the Tang dynasty, found its way into the Baekje incense burner.