This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Seefooddiet (talk | contribs) at 05:58, 9 January 2025 (Created by translating the page "경주 얼굴무늬 수막새"). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.
Revision as of 05:58, 9 January 2025 by Seefooddiet (talk | contribs) (Created by translating the page "경주 얼굴무늬 수막새")(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)The Roof-end Tile with Human Face Motif (Korean: 경주 얼굴무늬 수막새; Hanja: 慶州人面文圓瓦當), nicknamed the Silla smile (신라의 미소) is a Silla-era ornamental roof tile that went on the end of a roof. It was made a National Treasure of South Korea No. 2010 on November 27, 2018.
The tile became known in academic circles when a Japanese collector Tanaka Toshinobu (田中敏信, 1908–1993) purchased it in an antique shop in 1934. The tile ended up in Japan, and was not returned to Korea until October 1972.
It is the only known handmade Korean onramental roof-end tile; all other known roof-end tiles were made with molds. The smiling face depicted in the tile is considered iconic, and has become a symbol of Gyeongju.
References
- ^ Administration, Cultural Heritage. "The Roof-end Tile with Human Face Motif of Gyeongju - Heritage Search". Cultural Heritage Administration - English Site. Retrieved 2025-01-09.
- ^ "보물 '얼굴무늬 수막새' 사연 깃든 곳". 경주신문 (in Korean). 2025-01-09. Retrieved 2025-01-09.