Portable Shrine of Gilt-bronze Buddha Triad

A bulgam is a shrine cut from wood, stone or metal to hold an image, smaller than a building, and valuable evidence both for the style of the image inside and for the architecture of its time. This one is 18 cm high, the shrine and images cast in bronze and gilded. Inside, on a square base ringed with a railing, stand the principal Buddha with a bodhisattva either side, and a cover of columns and roof fits over them. The cover, shaped like a Buddha hall, has large windows at the front and both sides so the images can be seen. The Buddha's face is abstract, and the folds of the robe over both shoulders are reduced to simple lines. The mandorla behind is divided into halo and body aureole, edged with flame. The bodhisattvas either side are like the Buddha in form and handling except that they wear crowns hung with beads. The gold is still brilliant and green remains on the roof; the whole is in good condition. The long waist of the Buddha, the irregular folds and the beaded crowns of the bodhisattvas suggest the eleventh or twelfth century, under influence from northern China. It is valuable evidence for the timber architecture and carving of Goryeo or earlier.

AI Translation

Where it is

Region

Seongbuk-gu, Seoul

Designation

National Treasure · 국보