Gilt-bronze Standing Buddha Triad with Inscription of "Sinmyo Year"

Excavated in 1930 at Bongsan-ri, Hwachon-myeon, Goksan, Hwanghae, and now shown at the Leeum Museum of Art, 15.5 cm high. It is a triad — the principal Buddha and a bodhisattva either side carved on one large mandorla — and the largest surviving image of its type. The bodhisattvas are made much smaller than the Buddha and seem barely to hang from the edges of the mandorla, which sets the Buddha off all the more. Apart from slight damage at the Buddha's chest and the right edge of the mandorla, it is well preserved. The Buddha has a full face with a smile at the mouth and a large topknot protuberance. The robe over both shoulders is thick, its hems spreading to the sides and reaching the ankles. The right hand is raised palm outward; the left is lowered, palm outward, fingers down. The mandorla comes apart from the image and is fixed by a pointed tang at the Buddha's back. It is boat-shaped, with a halo and body aureole centred on the Buddha, filled with lotus, vine and honeysuckle; flame runs round their edges, with small Buddhas carved between. The two bodhisattvas at the lower end of the mandorla have large faces on thin cylindrical bodies, robes crossing in an X at the chest, and are altogether less skilfully made. An inscription on the back of the mandorla says that five people made the image for their teacher and their parents. The names in it and the style of the image point to Goguryeo, and the year sinmyo it gives is thought to be 571, the thirteenth year of King Pyeongwon. The large face and hands and abstract body carry on the style of the gilt-bronze Buddha inscribed with the seventh year of Yeonga, but the stern strength has eased into something supple and refined.

AI Translation

Where it is

Region

Yongsan-gu, Seoul

Designation

National Treasure · 국보