A solid gold crown, on display for the very first time in Paris, marks the starting point of the Guimet Museum’s new cultural exhibition. This ceremonial object comes directly from the Kingdom of Silla, a historic empire that unified the Korean Peninsula over a thousand years ago. The museum thus offers a deep dive into the heart of this golden age, a time when this region served as a major crossroads for trade between China, Japan, and the Silk Road.
Royal relics and military artifacts
The exhibition highlights the material wealth and craftsmanship of this ancient civilization. Visitors can view an abundance of gold jewelry and jade ornaments. The display cases also feature a collection of period weaponry, including swords and various types of armor intended for monarchs and warriors. Defensive equipment also extended to mounts, with the exhibition revealing protective gear specially designed for horses. As visitors move through the galleries, these historical objects interact with numerous depictions related to Buddhism and the figures of the zodiac animals.
The opening of this exhibition is part of the major Korean season currently being presented by the Guimet Museum. Alongside this new exhibition focused on the treasures of Silla, the very first exhibition in this thematic series remains on view in the galleries through July 6.
These various Asian cultural offerings punctuate the museum’s calendar leading up to the series’ grand finale, scheduled to launch in September.