Gilt-bronze Danggan Yongdu

Basic information

Designation

Treasure No.1410

Category

Craft

Era

통일신라시대

Designated year

2004

Location

수성구, 대구광역시— 대구광역시 수성구 청호로 321-0 (황금동, 국립대구박물관)

Coordinates

No precise coordinates are available, so this item is not shown as a map marker. To be added later.

This gilt-bronze dragon head-shaped finial features wide open eyes. The dragon has a magic bead in the mouth, with the upper lip extended upward in an “S” shape and the long, sharp upper and lower canine teeth bent sharply upward. Its outstretched neck and head add dynamism to the entire body. The dragon’s scales are incised on the body in two lines, with diverse floral patterns carved inside each scale. A pulley is built into the inside of the mouth where it is connected to the neck and is fastened with a rivet at the molar tooth. The device appears to have been designed for real movement but is now badly corroded, losing its intended function. This dragon ornament at the top of a pole is a rare example of its kind from the Unified Silla Period and is consequently an invaluable artifact in terms of the metal handicraft, sculptural styles, and architecture of the Unified Silla Period (676 - 935). The use of a pulley also provides information as to the level of science of that time.