Bronze Otchil Balgeori

Basic information

Designation

Treasure No.1151

Category

Craft

Era

통일신라시대

Designated year

1993

Location

경주시, 경상북도— 경북 경주시 일정로 186, 국립경주박물관 (인왕동,국립경주박물관)

Coordinates

35.829387, 129.227912

Called deungja in Korean, stirrups were used to hold the rider’s feet when mounting on or riding a horse. In particular, hodeung (pocket stirrups) were developed from ring stirrups known as yundeung during the Three Kingdoms’ Period. Its stepping area was widened so that the rider could put in and pull out his foot. With height of 14.7 cm, width of 12.1 cm, and length of 14.9 cm, these pocket stirrups are made into a protruding square shape, with a small hole drilled in the lower area to be connected easily to the saddle. Various decorations, including flower, oblique line, flame design, and fish bone, are exquisitely engraved on the surface of the footrest and painted with lacquer. Although few stirrups dating back to the Three Kingdoms’ Period have been excavated so far, this set is the only one dating back to the Unified Silla Period. Only one pair of similar stirrups is kept at Shosoin, the treasure house of Todaiji Temple in Japan. These stirrups have high academic value for their rarity.

Location