This year, Korea is in the spotlight at the National Museum of Asian Arts. And while the exhibition dedicated to K-Beauty is still ongoing on the second floor of the institution, the basement invites us to explore a little-known yet essential period in the history of the Land of the Morning Calm: the Silla kingdom. In collaboration with the National Museum of Gyeongju, the Guimet Museum offers you a chance to stroll through nearly 1,000 years of history and dive into a fascinating heritage.
A Millennium to Discover in 700 m²
You may not be familiar with its name, but the Silla kingdom was one of the brightest civilizations in East Asia. As we celebrate this year the 140th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Korea and ...
France, the Guimet Museum is showcasing this civilization in a unique exhibition, bringing together a number of treasures, most of which come directly from the other side of the planet and have been never presented in the West.Voir cette publication sur Instagram
As we move through the galleries, a piece of Korean history unfolds before our eyes, featuring myths adapted into images for the first time, showcasing the advanced techniques of the era, highlighting cultural exchanges, and displaying treasures of gold and pearls. The history of the Silla kingdom, recorded for the first time in writing in the 22nd century, reveals itself here through artisan objects that showcase its richness.
Exceptional pieces not to be missed
From display case to display case, the Guimet Museum presents us with a carefully curated selection of pieces to illustrate the power of this territory that would occupy almost the entirety of the Korean Peninsula. Spearheads and axe heads testify to the rise of the iron industry, while jewelry and decorative objects...Decorations reflect the exchanges between Silla and neighboring countries (China, Japan…). Finally, spiritual statues and typical armors showcase the unification of the kingdom in the 7th century.
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Crown. South Korea, Gyeongju, tomb of the golden crown, 5th century © Gyeongju National Museum
Often fascinating creations, sometimes spectacular, like the first of the six Silla crowns identified so far, displayed in a showcase so you can take a photo with it (a must for Korean tourists). But there's also the incredible reproduction of the Seokguram cave, which wraps up this splendid exhibition and highlights the importance of Buddhism in the flourishing of the Silla kingdom.
Silla: Gold and the Sacred. Royal Treasures of Korea (57 BC – 935 AD)
National Museum of Asian Arts Guimet
6, Place d'Iéna – 16th
From May 20 to August 31, 2026
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