Gold Necklace

Starting in the early 6th century CE, Silla necklaces, crowns, and earrings became very heavily decorated, as exemplified by this gorgeous necklace, which is made of round “beads” that were formed by connecting several of the round spangles that were traditionally used to decorate the thick central ring of Silla earrings. The spangle beads are decorated with incised patterns and adorned with several more heart-shaped spangles. The main pendant of the necklace is a comma-shaped jade piece.

   This necklace was found in a burial tomb in Noseo-dong, Gyeongju. Several large tombs have been found clustered in the area of Noseo-dong and Nodong-dong, most of which date back to the 5th and early 6th century CE. Among these tombs, the largest ones, including the one where this necklace was found, are thought to have been the burials of the most elite members of Silla society, including the Silla kings and royal family.