국립중앙박물관 NATIONAL MUSEUM OF KOREA

Highlights
Bronze Strap Pendants
  • Nationality/Period

    Three Kingdoms Period

  • Materials

    Metal - Copper Alloy

  • Category

    Transportation / Communication - Harness - Decoration - Apricot leaf

  • Dimensions

    L. 19.2cm

  • Accession Number

    Bongwan 12546 - 1

The location where this artifact was discovered is unknown. A horse strap pendant is a kind of horse fitting used for decorating a horse, bound with chest and back hangers, and is also called haengyeop. Before the appearance of the metal strap pendant, horse strap pendants made of organic material were used for decoration, bound to both sides of the saddle. The horse strap pendant from the Three Kingdoms Period is divided into two parts; the main body and the part connecting to the string. This pendant has a total of five bells which were attached to each edge of the backbone of a sword-style body; there is also a type of horse strap pendant belonging to the backbone of sword-shaped horse strap pendants in which the pendant and horse bell were put together. Parts of the loophole are damaged and also partly rusty. The backbone of sword shaped horse strap pendants is characterized as having been discovered mainly in the Gaya and Baekje regions.