Gold Crown Ornaments

The Tomb of King Muryeong the Great (in Gongju, Chungcheongnam-do Province) is the only tomb from the Three Kingdoms Period whose occupant has been definitively identified, thanks to a stone epitaph that recorded the names of the interred. The tomb is a brick structure with an arched ceiling that has an entrance corridor attached to the burial chamber. Numerous artifacts were found within this tomb, including gold crown ornaments, gilt-bronze shoes, and an inscribed bracelet. Thus far, 17 of these items have been deemed noteworthy enough to be designated as National Treasures. These artifacts have yielded a wealth of insight into the true nature of Baekje art, which was distinct from that of Goguryeo and Silla.
Two pairs of crown ornaments were found in the tomb, one pair each from the area where the heads of the deceased king and queen would have rested. This particular pair is from the queen’s side. They were made from a sheet of pure gold, which was cut into honeysuckle and flame patterns, representing Buddhist elements. Interestingly, unlike the king’s ornaments, these are not adorned with spangles and their decorative patterns are symmetrical. The center of each ornament features a vase of flowers, placed upon a pedestal decorated with seven lotus petals.