Bronze Bell Cast by Buddhist Monk Sain - Cheongnyongsa Temple, Anseong

This Joseon-period bell was cast in 1674 by the Monk Sain, a monk who was active in Gyeonggi-do and Gyeongsang-do during the reign of King Sukjong. The Monk Sain was an outstanding monk and craftsman of the 18th century who combined the traditional bell-casting techniques of Silla with his own originality. Eight of his surviving bells are known today, each with different characteristics. This bell has a dynamic dragon carved on both the yongnyu, the hook-shaped loop by which the bell is hung, and the bamboo-shaped sound tube that is said to help the resonance of its sound. A broad band carved with lotus flowers and vines encircles the bell at the shoulder and around the lower mouth, and below the shoulder band there are square-shaped stands between which bodhisattva figures are set. The bell is especially notable for its realistic technique, and, coming after the Monk Sain had already cast the Gimnyongsa Temple bell and the Sutasa Temple bell (1670), it represents a mature masterpiece that displays his full command of his craft. As such it is an important source for the study of the artisan community of the late Joseon period.

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Where it is

Region

Anseong, Gyeonggi

Designation

Treasure · 보물