CreatripTeam

The National Museum of Korea is showing five photographs of ancient Silla gold crowns taken by photographer Koo Bon-chang. After nearly seven years securing permission, he photographed crowns and gold artifacts from key tombs—Cheonmachong, Geumgwanchong, Geumryeongchong, Seobongchong and Hwangnamdaechong—highlighting intricate designs like tree-branch and deer-antler motifs and blue-paste (gobeun-ok) inlays. With the upcoming APEC leaders’ meeting in Gyeongju, the images are exhibited in Seoul while the physical crowns will be reunited at a special show in Gyeongju from Oct. 28. The display also reflects different excavation histories: some crowns were unearthed in state-led digs in the 1970s, others during the 1920s Japanese colonial era. Museum staff say the crowns symbolized royal power (maripgan) and hope visitors sense Silla’s unique beauty and mystique through the photographs.