Stone Guardian from the Tomb of King Muryeong

A Baekje stone guardian found in the Tomb of King Muryeong in Gongju. In the narrow sense, a seoksu is a stone animal set up before a palace or tomb or placed inside a tomb. This one is 30.8 cm high, 49 cm long and 22 cm wide, and it stood in the middle of the passage, facing outward. Its mouth is blunt, with traces of red paint on the lips, and it has a large nose without nostrils, eyes and ears. An iron horn shaped like a branch is attached to the top of its head. Flame patterns carved on both sides of the body and on the front and back legs seem to represent wings. It has a carved tail, and is realistic to the point of having an anus. Made from the idea of guarding the tomb, it is the first such figure found in Korea.

AI Translation

Where it is

Region

Gongju, Chungnam

Designation

National Treasure · 국보