Name/TitleCheonma tomb (천마총, 天馬塚), Daereungwon Ancient Tombs Complex, Gyeongju City
About this objectOne of the Silla royal tombs in the Daereungwon Tomb Complex in Gyeongju, this 5th-6th century tomb is named after a birch bark saddle flap with an image of a white winged 'heavenly horse' (Cheonma 천마) [EXH116] that was found during the 1973 excavation. It was just one of over 140 burial items, a sword, a gold crown [EXH117], gold jewellery, a gold girdle, a blue glass cup [EXH131] and a chestlace [EXH136] [see Burial Bling and Glass stories].
The body was placed in a wood coffin which was laid on a stone platform.
The tomb, with the large mound, the horse depiction, tack, and gold objects, has been linked to burial practices of Korea's northern steppe neighbours.
Date Made5th-6th c.
PeriodSilla
Place MadeKorea
Subject and Association KeywordsDeath and burials
Subject and Association KeywordsHorses
Subject and Association KeywordsBurial bling
Subject and Association KeywordsGlass
Subject and Association DescriptionLearn More: Cartwright 2016; The Korea Foundation 2011; Portal 1999; Pratt 2000.
