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National Treasure

Gold Earrings of the Queen Consort of King Muryeong

무령왕비 금귀걸이 ( 武寧王妃 金製耳飾 )

Heritage Search Detail
Classification National Treasure
Name of Cultural Properties Gold Earrings of the Queen Consort of King Muryeong
Quantity 2 pairs
Designated Date 1974.07.09
Age Baekje
Address Gongju National Museum, 34, Gwangwangdanji-gil, Gongju, Chungcheongnam-do

These two pairs of Baekje earrings were excavated from Royal Tomb of King Muryeong in Gongju. One pair is 11.8cm long and the other is 8.8cm long. These earrings were for the queen. They have many small ornaments connected to a thick ring. One pair is elaborately designed, with each earring having two long and small ornamental strips. The other pair is simply designed, with each earring having only one strip. The long strip on the first pair has a chain made of a twisted gold strip with many round ornaments connected to it. Eight round ornaments are connected with a small ring to the end of the long strip, and a bullet-shaped ornament is attached to the bottom ends. The bullet-shaped ornament was also found from the remains of the Goguryeo Kingdom but those of Baekje are more rare and unique in shape. The short strip is almost identical in shape, but it doesn't have the bullet-shaped ornament. It has a leaf-shaped ornament and a round light green jade attached to it. This tomb was built for King Muryeong, the 25th king of the Baekje Dynasty who reigned from 501 to 522, and also his queen. It’s one of the most well-known royal tombs because it’s one of the rare tombs that were built with bricks, and also a great amount of burial goods - 2906 pieces of remains ranging over 108 categories - were excavated from it. They have been regarded as important sources for studying Baekje, particularly the culture and customs of the ancient kingdom. Among them, jiseok, a slab of stone inscribed with the deceased's date of birth and death together with his achievements, reveals the exact owner of the tomb and the exact date of construction. The Royal Tomb of King Muryeong is the first among all the tombs from the Three Kingdoms Period that records the name of the buried king and the exact date of construction.