Everyday Life in Baekje

What do you think this earthenware vessel, shaped like a baby tiger, was used for? Let’s take a closer look?

The tiger's back is arched and its front feet support the weight of the vessel, while its upper body is twisted to the left. The head appears to gaze into the distance and the mouth is open. Above the tiger’s mouth, there are two little nostrils, and above them, two big, round eyes. Its face also has eyelashes and whiskers. The back of the tiger was used as a handle so the vessel was easily portable. It looks like a bottle for liquor, doesn’t it? But the mouth is a little too big for pouring.

The artifact is actually a urinal designed for men, like a chamber pot.

It demonstrates the sense of humor of the Baekje people – a chamber pot designed to look like a baby tiger's wide open mouth!

This urinal gives us an insight into both the lifestyle and the sense of humor of the upper classes in Baekje society.