Crowns of Silla
The approximately in the 5th–7th centuries.
These crowns were excavated in
Introduction
The Silla crowns were uncovered in the
Historical background
Silla's art was initially influenced by Goguryeo, but later by Baekje. In addition, Silla embraced Chinese culture and southern cultures such as India, and this multicultural influence can also be seen in the gold crown. As a result, Silla has developed a culture of ambition and delicate style, and after unification, it shows a more splendid and refined aspect. Relics excavated from various tombs of Silla have many ornaments from the ruling class of Silla. [1]
Symbolism of the crown
The styling of the outer part of the crowns suggests a Korean connection with the Scytho-Iranians (Saka) through contact with people of the Eurasian steppe. The crowns are a uniquely Korean product and show no Chinese influence. The Silla crown is also notably distinct from the crown of Baekje, the crown of Gaya, and the crown of Goguryeo kingdoms. The tree motif of the crown is commonly believed to represent the idea of the world tree which was an important tenet of Siberian and Iranian shamanism.[1][2]
However, some believe that the trident-like protrusions symbolize mountains or even birds. Additionally, the antler-like prongs also indicate a strong connection to
A crown in
The delicate nature of the gold crowns comes from the fact they were made from cutting thin sheet gold. The crown is impractical to wear and some believe that the crown may have been made specifically as a burial good.
The crowns come in two major parts. The inner part is a golden cap, which may have been covered in silk. This cap would sit within the band of the outer crown. There is a third part of the crown, namely the chains of gold with attached jade that may have been attached to the outer band. However, there is significant controversy over how the crown was supposed to be worn. Some believe that the three total parts were supposed to be worn together in one crown. However, the fact that the three parts of the crown have been found in three distinct areas of certain tombs, such as the
Lists of Crowns of Silla
South Korea has officially designated some Silla crowns as national treasures (Korean: 국보; Hanja: 國寶; RR: gukbo), others as treasures (Korean: 보물; Hanja: 寶物; RR: bomul).
Group | Image | Information |
---|---|---|
National Treasures | National Treasure No. 87 The Gold Crown from Geumgwanchong (Korean: 금관총 금관; Hanja: 金冠塚金冠; RR: Geumgwanchong geumgwan; MR: Kŭmgwanch'ong kŭmgwan) is the largest golden crown discovered. The Gold Crown Tomb (Geumgwanchong) was named after this treasure. It was designated as a national treasure on December 12, 1962. The crown is 44 centimeters in height and has a diameter of 19 centimeters. It is the largest golden crown from Silla discovered thus far.[7] There are two parts to this crown. The outer band was discovered within the tomb while the inner cap was found outside of the tomb. The outer band consists of three tree-like branches which have three branches each. The Chinese character 出 chul is written three times on the head band [citation needed ]. Additionally, the outer head band also has two antler-like protrusions on the left and right side. All of the protrusions have jade and glass beads and tiny golden mirrors that dangle from the branches. On the sides of the headband also are two chains of gold with leaf-like decorations that end with jade jewels. These two chains hang below the head band.
The inner crown is a triangle-shaped hat made of thin sheet gold and has two wing-like decorations on it. The wings are believed to relate to Korean shamanistic beliefs. The crown is now in the Gyeongju National Museum and is a masterpiece of Korean art. | |
National Treasure No. 188 The Gold Crown from Cheonmachong (. The crown is 32.5 centimeters in height. There are three prongs forming the Chinese character 山 “mountain” on the front of the crown. There are also two prongs in the shape of a deer antler on the back. This crown also has two dangling chains of gold in the shape of leaves hanging from the end of the headband. Notably, the tree-like prongs of this crown have four branches instead of the more common used three branch motif. There is still controversy of how this crown was to be worn because of where it was found in the tomb in relation to the coffin. The neo-Lines who interacted with the Sogdians on the Silk Road embraced the culture of nomads. Nomads perceived nature in three dimensions: low, medium, and high. This way of thinking appears as an ornament of deer, which means ground, trees connecting the ground to the sky, and birds flying in the sky. The Silla Geumgwan tells us that the Silla people actively interacted and flexibly embraced other cultures. | ||
National Treasure No. 191
This crown may have been made for a queen and there is a significant controversy about who was buried in the tomb. | ||
Treasures | Treasure No. 338
This crown has the distinction of being the only gold crown made solely of gold without any jade accoutrements. | |
Treasure No. 339
The crown is 30.7 centimeters in height, 18.4 centimeters in diameter, and 24.7 high when the ornaments hanging from the headband. There are five branches standing on the broad crown frame which is stamped with a wave pattern and stamped in a form of a dotted line. The headband is decorated with leaf-shapes and bent jade. The right and left most branches, along with the middle branches of the five branches, are composed of the Chinese character 出 in three prongs. The tips of the branches are decorated with a budding flower ornament. Two crossing gold belts having the tip on the each 4 dividing points of the crown frame, construct the inside framework. At the both sides of the crown frame, styled-earrings are dangling from the headband. | ||
Treasure No. 631 The Silver crown (Korean: 은관〈98호 남분〉; Hanja: 銀冠〈98號南墳〉; RR: eun(-)gwan (98[= gusippal]ho nambun); MR: ŭn'kwan (98[= kusippar]ho nambun)) from the south mound of Tumulus No. 98, is a silver crown and was found near the head of the body in the coffin of the tomb. The crown is currently housed in Gyeongju National Museum. The measurements of the crown are: 17.2 centimeters in height, 16.6 centimeters in diameter, the width of the headband is 3.2 centimeters. The crown has three prongs but they are unique to any other kind of Silla crown discovered thus far. The center prong is thick and shaped like a shield or a perhaps a shape bent like a bow with a high middle section. There is a silver plate attached to this prong. On either side of the center prong is a crescent-shaped prong. The outer side of these crescent-shaped prongs are cut and twisted to make feather-like protrusions which are unique to Silla art. However, there is an analogous example of this feather-like embellishment from a crown of Gaya providence found at the Uiseongtamni Tumulus. The Eungwan crown was uncovered in Tumuli Park of Michu Royal Tomb in Gyeongju. The mound is connected from the north and south and so has the shape of a gourd. With a diameter of 80 meters from east to west and 120 meters from north to south, it is the largest mound of Silla. The south mound is 23 meters in height, the north mound, which is where National Treasure No. 191 was uncovered, is 22 meters in height. |
See also
References
- ^ a b c d e 현진, 형규, 박, 이 (2010). "A Study on Golden Crowns During The Period of Three Kingdoms". 한국디자인문화학회지. 283–295: 13 – via 한국디자인문화학회.
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: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ Kidder, J. Edward (1964). Early Japanese Art: The Great Tombs and Treasures. D Van Nostrand Company Inc. p. 105.
- ^ "Korea, 1–500 A.D." Metropolitan Museum of Art. October 2000.
- ^ "1,500 Years of Contact between Korea and the Middle East". Middle East Institute. Retrieved 2017-04-13.
- ^ Kim, Do-heon. 2002. Samhan Sigi Jujocheolbu-eui Yutong Yangsang-e Daehan Geomto [A Study of the Distribution Patterns of Cast Iron Axes in the Samhan Period]. Yongnam Kogohak [Yongnam Archaeological Review] 31:1–29.
- ^ Taylor, Sarah. 1989. The Introduction and Development of Iron Production in Korea. World Archaeology 20(3):422–431.
- ^ "Display Detail Information". www.pennfamily.org. Archived from the original on 2012-02-04. Retrieved 2006-05-10.
External links
- South Korean Cultural Heritage Administration (in korean):
- Golden Treasures: The Royal Tombs of Silla