The uppermost circular ring, which was the part attached to the ear, is made of rolled gold plate with a hollow interior upon whose surface a pattern of hexagons enclosing tiny circles is executed in the granulation technique. The elliptical, central ring is incised with a latticework pattern and is attached to another smaller ring from which a pendant is hung. The pendant consists of two spherical elements hanging one below the other, each encircled by leaf-shaped spangles hanging from tiny rings. The surface of each of these leaf-shaped spangles is meticulously serrated at the edges and on the nib in the middle to assimilate the granulation technique. The lowermost ornament is a seed-shaped drop also elaborately ornamented with granulation. It is designated as Korean Treasure No. 557.

History of the Object

These are among the most splendid gold earrings produced during Silla.