Heavenly Horse
from Silla Cheonmachong Tomb (Jangni cheonmado)
75 x 53 cm5th CenturyNational Treasure No. 207
Description
The Heavenly Horse symbolizes the divine authority of Silla kingship and its sacred connection withe the heavens. It was painted on a Jangni — a decorative leather saddle flap attached to both sides of a horse's saddle to shield against mud and dust. Discovered in 1973 at the Cheonmachong Tomb in Gyeongju. It remains the only extant painting from the Silla period, offering a rare glimpse into the artistry and spiritual imagination of ancient Korea.
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