Gold Cap Ornament

This crown cap ornament, from Hwangnamdaechong Tomb in Gyeongju, resembles a flying bird with widespread wings. Ornaments like this were folded vertically and attached to crown caps, which were shaped like peaked hats. The front base of this crown cap ornament is smooth and pointed, allowing it to be inserted into a slot on the front of the cap. Close inspection reveals that the front section and the wings were made separately and then connected.
Most Silla crown cap ornaments resemble bird wings, but some look more like butterfly wings. The bird wing‐type ornaments changed over time; the earlier ones have fully widespread wings (like this one), while later ornaments have wings that curve inwards and upwards at the ends. Thus, we know that this particular crown cap ornament is relatively old.