Gold Diadem Ornament from Cheonmachong Tomb

Basic information

Designation

Treasure No.617

Category

Craft

Era

신라시대(5∼6세기)

Designated year

1978

Location

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

Coordinates

35.829387, 129.227912

A diadem ornament is either used simply to decorate the diadem, or it may contain religious meaning. This ornament is 23 cm in height and 23 cm in width. It was found on top of a box holding belongings of the buried person. The box was laid outside the coffin towards the head. In the middle there is a round protrusion in the shape of a bird's head and below that, on the shoulders, there are a pair of wings in the motion of ascent. The body of the ornament becomes narrower as it comes vertically down and is rounded off at the end. Near the head there are two leaf-shaped holes and on each wing there are five leaf-shaped holes. The lower half of the ornament is shaped like a shield and has no decoration, but on the upper half there are about 150 circular ornaments connected on a chain. There are signs of the ornament for the diadem having been folded in half lengthwise. There is also a nail hole at the bottom. However, it is hard to decide clearly what the ornament was used for. Cheonmachong (Heavenly Horse Tumulus) Tomb was originally called Gyeongju Tumulus, Tumulus No. 155 until it was excavated in 1973. After its excavation it was presumed to be either the tumulus of Silla's 21st Maripgan (a title for earlier kings of Silla) Soji or the 22nd Maripgan Jijeung. Alongside many invaluable relics including gold diadems and bracelets, a coffin with a Cheonma (heavenly horse) painted on its side was discovered. From this came the tomb’s present name.

Location