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What kinds of objects have been found in Silla tombs?
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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.
The secular art of the Silla kingdom is primarily known through burial gifts recovered from large mounded tombs in the Kyŏngju area. These tombs have yielded a significant wealth of artifacts, reflecting the kingdom's access to rich gold mines and its sophisticated craftsmanship.1
Key objects found in Silla tombs include:
- Regalia and Jewelry: Silla tombs are noted for their elaborate gold and gilt-bronze crowns and diadems. Personal adornments found include earrings, necklaces, bracelets, and finger rings crafted from gold, silver, bronze, jade, and glass.2
- Gold Ornaments: The abundance of gold work in these burials led to the ancient Japanese description of Silla as "Eye-Brightening Silla". Notable examples include crowns featuring stylized tree and antler-shaped uprights, decorated with gold spangles and crescent-shaped jade pieces known as kogok.12
- Pottery: The most representative Silla pottery is a hard, grayish, unglazed stoneware. Common vessel forms include mounted cups and jars with erect cylindrical necks, often featuring rectangular apertures at the foot. Additionally, human and animal figurines are frequently found attached to the shoulders of these jars or as independent pieces.2