Pyongyang, October 24 (KCNA) -- Among the cultural heritages associated with the wisdom and talents of the Korean ancestors is the Koryo copper mirror.

The mirror handicraft of Korea, which boasted of its peculiar tradition with the mirror with a fine thread pattern from the period of Ancient Korea, was further developed in the Koryo period.

Most of the Koryo copper mirrors known so far were unearthed in tombs, sites of royal palaces and temples.

The shape of the mirrors is mainly rounded, but there are some square ones with various changes on their edges.

And there are special types which modeled after jars, bells, bottles, etc. and have handles.

The back of the mirror is decorated with various patterns.

Typical of the patterns are those depicting animals, plants, sceneries and buildings. Others also depicted dancing and hunting.

These patterns are decorated with beautiful lines and patterns through delicate and elaborate relief techniques suited to the shapes of mirrors, thus adding to their artistry.

Some Koryo copper mirrors have no pattern and others have letters carved on them.

The Koryo copper mirror is one of the valuable cultural heritages showing the excellent metalworking techniques and formative artistic talents of the Korean ancestors. -0-