A decoration using jewel beetle wings has been identified for the first time in a gilt-bronze crown discovered in a Silla tomb in Hwangnam-dong, Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province.
The National Heritage Administration announced today (21st) that during the preservation process of the gilt-bronze crown unearthed from Tomb No. 120-2 in Hwangnam-dong, Gyeongju, in 2020, a decoration made from jewel beetle wings was confirmed.
This is the first instance where a decoration using jewel beetle wings has been found in the gold and gilt-bronze crowns excavated so far.
The excavation revealed that the tomb contained an intact set of elaborate ornaments worn by the tomb owner, including a gilt-bronze crown, gilt-bronze shoes, gold earrings, and beaded bracelets.
The base of this gilt-bronze crown features a rounded band, on top of which there are three upright decorations shaped like the character “出” and two more shaped like deer antlers.
Both the upright decorations and the band are adorned with inverted heart-shaped holes, with the jewel beetle wings attached behind these holes.
Of the 15 confirmed wing decorations, some had fallen and scattered from the crown, while some of the seven remaining decorations still attached to the crown were layered in groups of three, with the rest being found singly.
The jewel beetle is considered the most beautiful among Korea’s beetles and has been regarded as precious. It has only been found in the highest-grade Silla tombs, such as the Great Tomb of Hwangnam and Gold Crown Tomb.
The gilt-bronze crown was found in Tomb No. 120-2 in Hwangnam-dong, which is located south of Tomb No. 120 in the Daereungwon area of Gyeongju, and is presumed to be a woman’s tomb.
Tomb No. 120 in Hwangnam-dong was discovered during the Japanese colonial period but was damaged as private houses were built on the site. Since 2018, the National Heritage Administration and Gyeongju City have been investigating and identified the additional Tombs No. 120-1 to the north and No. 120-2 to the south.
The National Heritage Administration evaluated that “the jewel beetle wing decoration is not only a simple aesthetic expression but also provides a glimpse into the social status of the wearer, while being a valuable material showing the relationship between the splendid Silla craft techniques and the culture of the ruling class.”
[Photo Source: Provided by National Heritage Administration]
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