The long-necked jars with clay figurines () is a 5th-century Silla earthenware artifact, officially designated as 195th National Treasures of South Korea. They refer to a designated pair of 5th-century Silla earthenware vessels characterized by small, three-dimensional clay figures (in Korean: 토우) attached to their neck and shoulder surfaces. One vessel is currently housed in the Gyeongju National Museum, while the other is kept at the National Museum of Korea in Seoul.
Excavation The primary vessel of the pair was excavated in 1973 during the systematic archaeological investigation of Tomb No. 30 at the Gyerim-ro site, located within the Michuwangneung Tomb Complex (The tomb of the 13th ruler, Michu of Silla) in Gyeongju. Another vessel with a similar structure was unearthed from Daereungwon tomb cluster, which indicates 23 tombs of kings and queens of Silla, Three Kingdoms of Korea.
Description The Gyerim-ro Tomb No. 30 Jar The vessel found in Gyerim-ro Tomb No. 30 stands 34.0 cm high with a mouth diameter of 22.4 cm and is widely considered the ultimate masterpiece of Silla clay figure pottery. Its neck and shoulder areas are decorated with incised geometric concentric circles and wavy lines, providing a background for a complex arrangement of clay figurines. These human and animal motifs include a pregnant woman playing the gayageum, a traditional instrument, a couple engaging in explicit sexual intercourse, and various creatures such as frogs, turtles, and snakes. Most notably, it features a dramatic scene depicting a snake biting the hind leg of a frog.
Jar from Daereungwon The second jar, excavated from Nodong-dong Tomb No. 11, is slightly taller, measuring 40.5 cm in height. While it shares a similar flaring rim and incised linear ornamentation with the Gyerim-ro specimen, its clay figurines are fewer in number and concentrated exclusively around the neck area. The figurines on this vessel focus on similar thematic elements, portraying men with emphasized genitalia alongside animal motifs.
Significance The iconography displayed on these long-necked jars offers the insights into the worldview, religious practices, and daily life of 5th-century Silla. The inclusion of pregnant figures, explicit representations, and creatures renowned for high fertility (such as frogs and turtles) served as shamanistic expressions praying for abundance, prosperity, and the continuation of life. Additionally, predatory scenes—specifically snakes capturing frogs—were believed to possess apotropaic powers, driving away evil spirits and guiding the soul of the deceased safely in the afterlife. Artistically, despite their unrefined and primitive rendering, the figurines exhibit rich emotional depth and dynamic movement.
See also National treasures of Korea References