Gilt-bronze Standing Bodhisattva (1979)

This gilt-bronze bodhisattva in the Busan Museum stands facing forward, chest out, with a confident bearing; its pedestal and mandorla are lost, but it is fairly well preserved. A high topknot rises from the head, and a small hole in the forehead suggests it once wore a crown. The hair at the brow is rendered realistically, but none is shown at the back. The full face has half-open eyes, crescent brows and a straight nose, and a quiet smile gives it a beautiful and merciful look. The ears hang to the shoulders, and three thick lines mark the neck. The body is rendered with spring, the curve from the full chest to the narrow waist beautiful. The scarf over both shoulders falls to below the feet, part of the left side broken away, and the lower garment has symmetrical U-shaped folds. There are bracelets on the upper and lower arms, but no other ornament on the body. The right hand is raised to the side, palm up; the left is lowered with the middle finger bent, and seems to have held a water vessel. With dignity and mercy in its commanding body, it is a beautiful work of early Unified Silla.

AI Translation

Where it is

Region

Nam-gu, Busan

Designation

National Treasure · 국보