Haman Malgap Armor and Large Sword Designated as Gaya Cultural Treasures

'Jirijeonseodongrimjodam' and 'Baekja Cheonghwa Maejodukmun Hangari' Also Designated as Treasures

Treasure No. 2041: Horse Armor and Large Ring-Handled Sword Excavated from Haman Magap Tomb

Various artifacts from the Gaya cultural sphere, including the Ara Gaya horse armor excavated from the Haman tumulus, have been collectively designated as treasures. On the 6th, the Cultural Heritage Administration announced the designation of five Gaya cultural heritage items?including the ‘Horse Armor and Ring-Handled Large Sword Excavated from Haman Magap Tomb’ and ring-handled large swords and gold earrings found in the Hapcheon Okjeon tumulus cluster?as treasures, along with two Joseon Dynasty texts and one ceramic piece.

The Gaya cultural artifacts designated as treasures were excavated from the Okjeon tumulus cluster and Haman Magap Tomb during archaeological investigations in the 1980s and 1990s. Their production dates are all estimated to be from the 5th to 6th centuries. The Haman horse armor and ring-handled large sword, designated as Treasure No. 2041, were discovered by the National Gaya Cultural Heritage Research Institute in 1992. The iron horse armor consists of a helmet covering the horse’s head, a neck and chest protector called gyeonghyung-gap, and a body protector called singap. It is regarded as the best-preserved horse armor from the Gaya tumulus cluster. The ring-handled large sword features forging techniques such as forging by hammering or pressing metal, chasing to create patterns, and inlay techniques.

Treasure No. 2043 Gold Earrings Excavated from Hapcheon Okjeon Tomb No. 28

The ‘Set of Ring-Handled Large Swords Excavated from Hapcheon Okjeon M3 Tomb,’ collected by Gyeongsang National University Museum in 1987-1988, became famous as multiple swords were found in a single tomb for the first time. Among the Three Kingdoms period Hwandudaedo (ring-handled large swords), it is evaluated as outstanding in terms of manufacturing technique and form. The ‘Gold Earrings Excavated from Hapcheon Okjeon Tomb No. 28,’ ‘Gold Earrings from Hapcheon Okjeon M4 Tomb,’ and ‘Gold Earrings from Hapcheon Okjeon M6 Tomb’ were all found in the Okjeon tumulus cluster.

The gold earrings from Okjeon Tomb No. 28 are long and dangling, made by connecting gold plate rings. They are the most ornate among the existing long chain-style gold earrings of Gaya. The M4 tomb gold earrings are estimated to have been made in the early 6th century. A complete pair was found at the place where the owner would have worn them on the ears, suggesting actual use. Below the thin and round main ring (sehwani-style, 細環耳飾), which represents the Gaya earring style, decorations shaped like beads, leaves, and Sanchi fruit were hung in sequence. The gold earrings from Okjeon M6 Tomb were also found near the head of the tomb owner in the wooden coffin’s southern area, indicating possible actual use. The combination of the middle-style Silla gold earrings and the Gaya Sanchi fruit-shaped end decoration points to 6th-century Gaya exchange patterns.

Daebuljeongyeoraemirinsoojungryoeje Bosalmanhaengsunungeomgyeong Volume 1_2

Other cultural properties designated as treasures along with the Gaya cultural artifacts include ‘Daebuljeong Yeorae Milinsu Jeungyo Uije Bosal Manhaeng Sungeomgyeong Volumes 1-2,’ ‘Jirijeonseo Dongnimjodam,’ and a ‘White Porcelain Blue-and-White Plum, Bird, and Bamboo Pattern Jar.’ The Daebuljeong Yeorae Milinsu Jeungyo Uije Bosal Manhaeng Sungeomgyeong, kept at Wongaksa Temple, is a woodblock print made in 1401 after King Taejo of Joseon had the monk Sinchong write the text. It is presumed to have been printed in the 15th century, based on the presence of the 15th-century Hangul letters ‘Banchieum’ and ‘Old Ieung’ and correction marks.

White Porcelain Jar with Blue and White Plum Blossom and Bamboo Design

Jirijeonseo Dongnimjodam is a Joseon-published geomancy book. It is originally said to have been written by Fan Yuefeng (范越鳳) during the Five Dynasties period after the fall of the Tang Dynasty in China. The book consists of twenty-two chapters divided into upper and lower volumes. It was printed using the first metal movable type of Joseon, the Gyemija type. The white porcelain blue-and-white plum, bird, and bamboo pattern jar is estimated to be a 15th to 16th-century work. It skillfully expresses shading with blue pigment, similar to ink wash painting. Due to its high level of painting technique, it is presumed to be official kiln white porcelain produced with the participation of painters from Dohwaseo (the royal painting bureau).

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