A glittering ancient craft

Gold earrings are nearly ubiquitous in royal tombs from the Silla Dynasty (57 B.C.-A.D. 935). During the fifth to sixth centuries, these beautiful artifacts underwent stylistic evolution.

These particular earrings were found in a couple’s tomb in Bomun-dong, Gyeongju, the capital city of Silla, now in North Gyeongsang. The earrings, 8.7 centimeters (3.4 inches) long, are divided into two parts. Thicker versions are made of plates of gold that are not as heavy as they appear.

This pair is the most sophisticated and splendid of all the earrings recovered from Silla, displaying the pinnacle of the era’s refined sense of beauty and craftsmanship.

On the central part of the earrings is inscribed the patterns of a turtle’s back, consisting of hundreds of golden particles, and dozens of tree-leaf patterns.

Name: Gold earrings

Period: Silla, 5th century

Location: National Museum of Korea

Status: National Treasure No. 90

*The photos and texts for Treasure Trove are provided by National Museum of Korea. For more information, you can call 02-2077-9000 or visit www.museum.go.kr