The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of July 16, 2026

Multifaceted rock crystals and small navy beads form a circular strand, interspersed with granulated metallic spacers. Two curved, translucent purple amethyst pendants flank the sides, while an elongated, mottled green jade stone anchors the bottom center. Small, leaf-shaped charms dangle near the wire closure at the top. The translucent crystals contrast with the opaque stones, creating a rhythmic arrangement that transitions from delicate ornaments to heavy, suspended pendants along the perimeter.

Necklace

700s

Korea, Unified Silla period

(676-935)
jade, amethyst, gold, rock crystal
Edward L. Whittemore Fund 1945.380
Location: Not on view

Did You Know?

Glass, largely produced in ancient Rome since the late first century CE, also reached the Korean peninsula through the Silk Road, the ancient global trade route.

Description

An enormous amount of beaded strings and necklaces were excavated from Silla tomb sites. Glass, largely produced in ancient Rome since the late first century CE, also reached the Korean peninsula through the Silk Road, the ancient global trade route. Yet soda glass started to be produced in the Silla territory as early as the second century CE. Comprising glass beads, comma-shaped jades, and silver bands, this is an excellent example of a necklace.
  • ?–1945
    Lloyd Linton, Akron, OH, sold to the Cleveland Museum of Art
    1945–
    The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH
  • Park, Jun-young. “Characteristic and Development Ancient Glass Beads in Korea [韓國 古代 琉璃구슬의 特徵과 展開樣相].” Jungang gogo yeogu 19 (2016): 71–109. www.dbpia.co.kr
  • Interpretation of Materiality: Gold. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (April 29-October 24, 2021).
    The Other Side of the Story - Korean Gallery 236 Rotation. The Cleveland Museum of Art (organizer) (October 27, 2020-April 25, 2021).
  • {{cite web|title=Necklace|url=false|author=|year=700s|access-date=16 July 2026|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}

Source URL:

https://www.clevelandart.org/art/1945.380