Gold Crown from Seobongchong Tomb

The name Seobongchong Tomb was given in commemoration of Crown Prince Gustaf Adolf of Sweden (later King Gustaf VI), who participated in the excavation of the tomb in 1926. The first character Seo (瑞) was taken from the Chinese rendering of “Sweden” (Seojeon, 瑞典), while Bong (鳳, phoenix) was derived from the bird-shaped ornaments on the crown, interpreted as phoenixes.
The crown consists of a headband set with three tree-shaped uprights and two antler-shaped uprights, placing it within the same typological group as the crowns from the Northern Mound of Hwangnamdaechong Tomb and the Geumgwanchong Tomb. Yet it exhibits a unique feature unseen in other crowns: thin, elongated gold plates were crossed in an X-shape inside the headband to form a cap-like framework, upon which a tree-shaped upright was mounted at the intersection, its tips adorned with three small birds. The edges of the uprights are incised with double rows of circular patterns, while the upper and lower borders of the headband are decorated with paired triangular designs enclosing wave motifs. The band itself bears three tiers of embossed roundels, each suspending curved jade pendants and comma-shaped ornaments. On either side of the band hang a pair of elaborate pendants attached to thick rings, each featuring a long chain-like middle ornament and pen-nib-shaped finials.