Figure Item Number: 3327/6 a-b from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Pair of matching wooden phoenix figures or kkokdu (꼭두), carved and painted. Each depicts a phoenix from the neck upwards. One phoenix is dark blue with a peach face (part a), and the other (part b) is peach with a dark blue face. Extending from each head are a large red, yellow, green and dark blue comb and red wattle. A small hole is drilled horizontally through the beak. The eyes are almond-shaped, with a red iris. Mounted on a two-tiered wood base.
These contemporary kkokdu are based on old designs. The artists used old wood and stain/dust known as "Tae" to make them look older. The colouring is called "dancheong", and the natural pigment used was extracted from powdered stone and shell.