Head-rest and Foot-rest in Tomb

The artifacts in front of you are the head-rests of the king and queen. The black one belonged to the king and the red one to the queen. Foot-rests were also found in the Royal Tomb of King Muryeong. The people of Baekje prepared both head-rests and foot-rests carefully to support the bodies of the king and queen.

Look at the U-shaped head-rest of the king first. It is covered with thin, gold decorations in a tortoiseshell pattern and adorned with small, gold flower designs. The W-shaped foot-rest of the king is similarly decorated, although it is not exhibited here.

The queen’s head-rest is next to the king’s. Gilt decorations cover the edges and the same gilt, tortoiseshell patterns decorate the head-rest. Each tortoiseshell pattern has a different design on it, for example, a flying fairy or a fish-like dragon. The paintings are indistinct and difficult to identify, so come closer and look very carefully. On the upper part, there are two wooden, oriental phoenixes facing each other.

These two head-rests have something in common. Can you discover what it is? Both head-rests feature tortoiseshell patterns. The tortoiseshell design has been used as a symbol of good luck, good health and long life since the primitive ages. This pattern may have been selected for the head-rests to indicate wishes for the peace and longevity of the king and queen in the afterlife. These head-rests, luxuriously decorated, are important relics that exemplify the high standards of Baekje woodwork. Now we will learn about the knife-shaped artifacts below.