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What did the gold crowns from Silla tombs look like?

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Korean dragon jar — Korean art Dragon jar, porcelain with iron-painted decoration under clear glaze, Korea, mid-17th century; in the Brooklyn Museum, New York. 31.4 × 37.1 cm. Diameter at mouth 12 cm. Diameter at base 9.5 cm.

Gold crowns from Silla tombs are among the most elaborate examples of metalwork from the Three Kingdoms period. These crowns were crafted from cut sheet gold and typically feature an outer circlet adorned with five upright elements.1

A signature design element includes three highly stylized, tree-shaped uprights flanked by two antler-shaped uprights. These vertical components are decorated with numerous spangles and crescent-shaped pieces of jade (kogok), which are attached using twisted wire. Some crowns also include a separate inner cap featuring a hornlike frontal ornament.1

Stylistically, these crowns are characterized by simple, angular lines, distinguishing them from the more curvilinear floral designs found in other regions, such as Baekje. The inclusion of tree and antler motifs reflects cultural connections to the ancient peoples of central and northern Asia.21