Detail

`Decorated flagpoles, the remains of the Koryo Dynasty, are often found in Buddhist temples throughout the country. But this particular flagpole is the only one that has been kept completely intact with its dragonheaded knob and is designated as National Treasure No.136. Consisting of base, pole and dragonheaded knob, the whole piece is 73cm in height, and 20.9cm and 16cm in base area. Made in the shape of a bamboo stalk, the miniature bronze replica has eight sections including the knob section on which dragon scales are carved. The flagpole consists of two parts the base and the two lowest sections of the pole forming one connected part, the dragonhead and the remaining sections forming the other. The flagpole was coated with lacquer and gold, but the original coating has now been flaked off in most parts of it. The Ministry of Communications issues this postage stamp in order to make this piece of craftwork of the Koryo Dynasty more widely known.`