Okjeon M3hobun Chulto Gorijaru Keun Kal (Collection), Hapcheon

Basic information

Designation

Treasure No.2042

Category

Craft

Era

가야 5세기

Designated year

2019

Location

진주시, 경상남도— 서울특별시 용산구 서빙고로 137 (용산동6가, 국립중앙박물관) 등 3개처

Coordinates

37.523500, 126.980100Museum-based location

The Okjeon Tumuli in Hapcheon form a graveyard of the supreme rulers of the small kingdom of Dara of the DaeGaya Confederacy, which it led jointly with Gaya (present-day Goryeong). Tomb M3 of the Okjeon Tumuli, Hapcheon was excavated and surveyed by a team from the Gyeongsang National University Museum in 1987-1988. Fortunately, this large tomb has been left untouched by tomb raiders, and thus constitutes a perfect example of the tombs of the supreme rulers of the DaeGaya era. The excavation of the tomb yielded four swords with a round pommel, each displaying decorative dragon and phoenix patterns and exquisite metal handicraft skills. From an historic and academic perspective, they are considered superior to the forty similar swords dating from the Three Kingdoms Period found to date. Due to their good state of preservation and esthetic quality, and the fact that the site of their discovery is known, they are regarded as representative examples of the metal handicrafts of the Three Kingdoms Period. The sword kept at the Gimhae National Museum, in particular, has attracted the attention of many historians as it displays traces of very thin gold leaf on the thin silver lines wound around the pommel, and it appears that a traditional technique for attaching pure-gold plate decorative patterns to the surface of silver objects was applied to it. The four swords with round pommel are thought to be worthy of designation as a Treasure as they provide an important reference point for research on the ancient history and archaeology of Northeast Asia and provide valuable information on the burial culture associated with the ruling class of Gaya and the country’s traditional handicrafts.

Location