Diadem of King Muryeong (NT 154)

Baekje, before 523 AD
Gongju Museum

The king's diadem consisted of two very thin gold uprights, each about 30cm (one foot) tall, that were worn on either side of his silk cap; a closeup of one upright is seen here. Its openwork decoration depicts flowers on a vine, whose branches are arranged in a flame-like pattern. Many writers consider this and other Baekje crowns to have been influenced by the Shamanistic culture of central Asia. Indeed, the Baekje royalty are often described as having been shaman-kings and shaman-queens.

When excavated in 1971, the tomb of King Muryeong was intact and contained almost 3,000 artifacts including the king and queen's golden diadems, other gold and silver ornaments, Chinese celadon, mirrors, and many other grave goods that are also kept in the museum.