Gold crown, Silla kingdom, early 6th century, from the burial mound at Manchons, Noseo-dong, Gyeongju, Korea. © National Museum of Korea, Seoul

Dresden - "The Dream of a King: Masterpieces from the Dresden State Art Collections," an acclaimed exhibition featuring eminent works from the 16th to 18th centuries, was showcased in Seoul and Gwangju in 2017/18. The presentation included selected works from the Green Vault, the Armory, and the Porcelain Collection. In 2025, the National Museum of Korea will reciprocate with a visit to Dresden. 

Hosted within the baroque ceremonial halls of Dresden's Residence Palace, the exhibition "100 Ideas of Happiness" fosters a dynamic dialogue between cultures. Aimed at encapsulating Korea's rich artistic heritage, from the Three Kingdoms period (1st century BC – 7th century AD) to the Joseon Dynasty (1392–1897), the exhibition presents various expressions of happiness in diverse artistic forms, capturing the nuanced interpretations of happiness that permeate Korean art and culture.

Among the highlights of the exhibition are treasured artifacts from the royal tombs of Geumseong — the capital of the Kingdom of Silla (57 BC – 935 AD), also known as the "City of Gold." The city's rich history is mirrored in a selection of intricate jewelry pieces, which rank among Korea’s national treasures and are displayed in the Sponsel Room of the New Green Vault. This collection includes earrings, rings, belts, and one of the renowned Geumgwanchong crowns. These jewelry items are not only exemplary works of goldsmithing but also emblems of the high status of the deceased, believed to confer power and prosperity in the afterlife. Crafted with exceptional precision and care from the finest gold and jade, the crowns are embellished with tree- or deer antler-like structures that allude to shamanic culture. 

​​​​​​Curved jade pendants symbolize fertility, while the gold-cast symbols and ornaments reflect spiritual beliefs about peace in the afterlife — all aspects that illuminate varying perceptions of happiness. The Geumgwanchong crown that will be displayed in Dresden, unearthed during archaeological excavations in 1921, is an extraordinary illustration of the artistry and opulence of the Silla Kingdom

Residenzschloss, 15/03/2025—10/08/2025

Roof tile with monster, Silla Kingdom, 8th/9th century, Korea. © National Museum of Korea

Seated Amitabha Buddha, Goreo Dynasty, 14th century, Korea: © National Museum of Korea

Moon Jar, white porcelain, Joseon Dynasty, 18th century, Korea © National Museum of Korea

Woman’s ceremonial crown with floral decoration, early 21st century, Korea. © National Museum of Korea