Fashion to Express Oneself, Ornaments of Gaya

Now we will learn something about the ornaments of Gaya. In those days, ornaments were not only used for personal beautification, but also to signify authority and to prevent misfortune.

In ancient western societies, similarly, kings and nobles wore extravagant crowns and accessories to accentuate their dignity and signify their authority.

By the 4th century, Gaya ornaments were mostly made of glass beads, crystal or jade. Compared to western jewels such as diamonds and emeralds they may seem humble, but they were rare and precious materials in Korea at that time.

When Gaya was under the influence of its neighboring kingdoms after the 5th century, jewelry made of gold and silver became popular. Many gold ornaments were then produced including gold earrings, rings and crowns.

This gilt-bronze crown is assumed to have been influenced by the style of Silla, a powerful kingdom neighboring Gaya. However, its shape differs from that of a Silla crown. This Gaya gilt-bronze crown possesses a unique beauty all its own.
As we have seen, the ornaments of Gaya evolved with the introduction of innovative materials and advances in jewelry-making techniques. Such ornaments accentuated both the body and the social position of the person wearing them.