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| yna@yna.co.kr 2026-09-22 12:01:50
SEOUL, Sept. 22 (Yonhap) -- Golden artifacts preserving the 1,000-year history and culture of the Shilla Kingdom will go on display for visitors in Shanghai, China.
The Gyeongju National Museum said Tuesday that it will present a special exhibition titled "The Land of Gold Crowns: The Essence of Shilla Cultural Heritage" at the Shanghai Museum East from Wednesday through Jan. 18 next year.
It marks the first comprehensive exhibition in China devoted to Shilla.
The exhibition explores the essence of Shilla culture through three themes -- "Golden Culture," "International Exchange" and "Buddhist Art," according to the museum.
Held in a 650-square-meter special exhibition hall, the show features 88 sets of artifacts, totaling 251 individual pieces, showcasing Shilla's advanced craftsmanship and distinctive aesthetic.
Among the exhibits are five national treasures and 10 treasures, including the Gold Crown from Geumgwanchong Tomb, officially known as "Gold Crown and Gold Crown Ornament from Geumgwanchong Tomb," which has come to symbolize Shilla's golden heritage since its discovery in 1921.
Artifacts from Geumgwanchong Tomb are presented together, including a crown cap made by joining multiple gold plates, a bird-wing-shaped crown ornament and an elaborate gold belt.
"Shilla's gold crowns were not merely elaborate ornaments. They embody the majesty of royal power, the authority of the ruling class, and the worldview and aesthetic sensibilities of people at the time," the museum said.
The exhibition also offers a glimpse into various aspects of Shilla, which flourished around present-day Gyeongju.
The national treasure "Long-necked Jar with Clay Figurines" unearthed in the Gyerim-ro area of Gyeongju features intriguing figurines modeled after various forms and animals, including frogs, turtles and people playing musical instruments.
Artifacts reflecting Shilla's active exchanges with the outside world are also on display.
The Treasure "Gyeongju Gyerim-ro Dagger," discovered in 1973 during road construction near Daereungwon in Gyeongju, differs in shape and decorative patterns from ring-pommel swords commonly excavated from Three Kingdoms-era tombs.
Research indicates that the dagger was made in the fifth century and was apparently commissioned by a group from Central Asia from goldsmiths in Eastern Europe.
A dark-blue glass cup excavated from Cheonmachong Tomb also demonstrates Shilla's international exchanges.
Another highlight is the Treasure "Gilt-bronze Buddha Panels Excavated from Anapji," also known as the "Gyeongju Wolji Gilt-bronze Bodhisattva Panel Buddhas," which reflects new sculptural styles introduced in the late seventh century during the early Unified Shilla period.
The "Buddhist Art" section explores the influence of Buddhism, which served as a spiritual foundation of Shilla society, through Buddhist statues, Buddhist crafts and artifacts related to temples.
A pensive Bodhisattva statue unearthed in Yangsan, South Gyeongsang Province, stands only 26 centimeters tall but makes a strong impression with its contemplative pose, one leg resting on the opposite knee.
The exhibition is part of an overseas touring exhibition that follows "Shilla: Gold and Sacred Power," held at the Guimet Museum in Paris in May.
The first exhibition in Europe to focus on Shilla attracted a total of 42,917 visitors.
"The distinctive cultural heritage of Shilla presented in Shanghai will offer Chinese visitors new inspiration and impressions," Yoon Sang-duk, director of the Gyeongju National Museum, said.
"We also hope this exhibition will create more opportunities for South Korea and China to deepen their understanding of and exchanges over each other's history and culture," he added.
The exhibition runs through Jan. 18 next year and is closed every Tuesday.
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