The earthenware funerary objects in the shape of a warrior on horseback () is 91st National Treasures of South Korea. Dated to the 5 - 6th century under the kingdom of Silla, this relic consists of a pair of gray earthenware vessels depicting a master (lord) and a servant, each mounted on horseback. Beyond its exceptional artistic value, it provides archaeological evidence regarding ancient Silla funeral customs, social stratification, clothing, and equestrian trappings.
Discovery The pair was discovered on May 30, 1924, during the Japanese colonial period, inside the Geumnyeongchong Tomb (currently belongs to Daereungwon) located in Nodong-dong, Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang province. The Japanese archaeologiest Umehara Sueji(in Japanese: 梅原末治) and this team uncovered the figures within an auxiliary side-chest intended for grave goods, situated on the east side of the main wooden coffin within a traditional stone-mounded wooden-chamber tomb. Based on the relatively small size of the gold crown and accompanying personal ornaments found in the burial chamber, scholars infer that Geumnyeongchong was constructed for a young royal prince of Silla who died at an early age.
Design Although modeled as realistic equestrian statues, both figures function as liquid containers. The hollow interior of the horse acts as a liquid reservoir connecting an upper funnel-shaped inlet on the horse's rump behind the saddle to a tubular spout projecting forward from the chest. The master figure stands 23.4 cm high and 29.4 cm long, wearing an elaborate high conical cap (Gwanmo), armored trousers marked with fine notches, and leather-ups. In contrast, the smaller servant figure stands 21.3 cm high and 26.8 cm long, clad in a simpler tunic with a topknot or basic cap, holding a handbell in his right hand to lead the way on a horse with simplified harnessing.
Significance
In ancient spiritual beliefs of Silla, horses were revered as sacred psychopomps—divine messengers capable of guiding souls across the boundary from the earthly realm into the afterlife. The pairing of the two figures carries explicit narrative meaning: the servant rides ahead, ringing his handbell to clear and herald the path, while the young royal master follows behind on his journey to the heavenly world. Along with these horse-rider vessels, boat-shaped earthenware vessel was also discovered at the site, which served a similar religious purpose to guide the soul of the deceased across both land and water to the afterlife. This provides a glimpse into ancient beliefs regarding the journey of the soul—specifically, that the deceased would travel by horseback over land and board a boat to cross the river that divides the presence from the afterlife.
See also National treasures of Korea
References