The Gilt-bronze Candlesticks with Inlaid Crystal Ornaments (National Treasure no. 174) in the collection of Leeum, Samsung Museum of Art has significant research value, highlighting the accomplishments in metalwork and material culture of Unified Silla, as well as their trading relationship with Japan. Candlesticks attest the early use of candles. The origin of candles is unclear, but candles were generally made of yellow wax harvested from wild beehives and white wax obtained from the secretions of Ericerus pela . A historical record from the Unified Silla period on honey and wax suggests the possibility of producing beeswax candles. The use of beeswax candles is a more advanced method than using oil lamps. However, beeswax candles were only used by the royal court, aristocracy, and certain religion- related classes because it was difficult to obtain the material. This pair of Gilt-bronze Candlesticks comprised of eleven individually cast pieces, are gold plated. The candlesticks feature a diverse range of f loral designs including lotus, peony, and f loral scrolls, employing diverse techniques including incising, raising, and ring-punching. Moreover, the rock crystals and amethysts inserted in sockets add to the extravagance of the candlesticks. The rock crystals are presumed to be of Korean origin as there are records ✽ Korea National University of Cultural Heritage – though from later generations – that rock crystal was mined from a number of areas in Korea including Gyeongju. Though the form of the candlesticks originated from China, the candlesticks in question are an unparalleled example of metalwork with sophisticated and elaborate decorations. Along with the candlesticks, candlewick trimmers are essential for making use of candles effectively. The gilt-bronze candlewick trimmer excavated from Wolji Pond in Gyeongju has a half-circling frame around its cutting blade. This unique feature was adopted for preventing the trimmed wick from falling into the melted wax. The trimmer and the candlesticks share common characteristics in their use of material, decorative techniques, and design. A purchase register, Bai Shiragi Mononoge (買新羅物解), of the Japanese aristocracy in 752, lists items to be purchased from Silla, which includes honey, wax, and candlesticks. Wax has been used in various productions including candles, and the wax from the Nara period is preserved in the Shōsōin Repository. In a recent component analysis, it was revealed that the wax in the Shōsōin collection was of Apis indica, a homogeneous type to native Korean bees. Moreover, the “candlesticks” written in the register can possibly be related to the Gilt- bronze Candlesticks , which was highly likely to have been esteemed by the Japanese aristocracy. This presumption is supported by the candlewick trimmer in the Shōsōin collection, which is similar in size, shape, and use to the one excavated from Wolji Pond. This demonstrates that Unified Silla provided lighting sets composed of candles, candlesticks, and candlewick trimmers to Japan. Candles were not just used for lighting indoor but for raising the authority of royal protocols and emphasizing the piety of Buddhist rituals. Therefore, diverse objects associated with candles were produced, and highly sophisticated metalwork such as the Gilt-bronze Candlesticks and Gilt-bronze Candlewick Trimmer (Treasure no. 1844) were produced in response to the aesthetics of the class that enjoyed such objects. In comparison to the characteristics of the shape, decorative techniques, and design of the candlesticks with other metalwork of the time and in consideration of the historical circumstances, the Gilt-bronze Candlesticks are possibly dated to the mid-eighth century. In the Unified Silla period, they were not only capable of adopting and developing a new culture of wax candles, but also promoting the advanced culture of Korea to foreign societies.