Brick with dragon, buildings, and landscape

Korea, Unified Silla kingdom (676–935)
Excavated from Jungsan-dong, Ulsan
Earthenware
H x W x D: 6.9 x 15.8 x 11.6 cm
Gyeongju National Museum, gyeongji 4655
© Gyeongju National Museum

This clay brick renders structural elements of ancient wooden buildings in great detail. The front façades of the buildings feature columns, brackets, and a tiled roof. Roof ridge ornaments are also clearly visible at both ends of the main peak. The buildings float on clouds against a distant landscape that is represented by horizontal lines and triangular mountains, suggesting the structures may be heavenly palaces in a Buddhist paradise.

Korea, Unified Silla kingdom (676–935)
Excavated from Jungsan-dong, Ulsan
Earthenware
H x W x D: 6.9 x 15.8 x 11.6 cm
Gyeongju National Museum, gyeongji 4655
© Gyeongju National Museum

This clay brick renders structural elements of ancient wooden buildings in great detail. The front façades of the buildings feature columns, brackets, and a tiled roof. Roof ridge ornaments are also clearly visible at both ends of the main peak. The buildings float on clouds against a distant landscape that is represented by horizontal lines and triangular mountains, suggesting the structures may be heavenly palaces in a Buddhist paradise.