Glass Cup from Cheonmachong Tomb

Cheonmachong Tomb is Tomb No. 155 in the ancient tomb cluster at Hwangnam-dong, Gyeongju. Excavated in 1973, it yielded many precious relics, including a gold crown and bracelets, together with a painting of a heavenly horse (cheonma), which is how the tomb came to be called Cheonmachong, the "Tomb of the Heavenly Horse." The glass cup from Cheonmachong Tomb was found inside the tomb. It is 7.4 cm high and 7.8 cm in diameter at the rim. Originally two cups were found, but the other was damaged beyond restoration. Made of transparent blue glass with no visible air bubbles, it shows only slight silvering, a weathering film that forms on ancient glass surfaces, around the rim, evidence of a high level of craftsmanship. The thickness of the cup varies, and the rim flares slightly outward. The overall shape is U-shaped; the base is close to circular, but the area in contact with the ground has been pressed irregularly inward so that the cup can stand upright. The surface is encircled by thick vertical lines of uneven length, below which, except on the base, an irregular pattern of circular motifs runs continuously around the body. The circular motifs were not carved but pressed into the glass before it hardened.

AI Translation

Where it is

Region

Gyeongju, Gyeongbuk

Designation

Treasure · 보물