Bronze Bell with Inscription of "Tapsansa Temple"

Cast in the Goryeo period, this bell stands 79cm tall with a mouth diameter of 43cm. It is a representative example that inherits the traditional form of Silla-style bells while clearly showing the new features that emerged in late Goryeo. At the top of the bell is a yongtong, a sound tube that helps the bell resonate, and the yongnyu, the dragon-shaped hook by which it is suspended, is realistically carved as a dragon holding a yeouiju, a wish-fulfilling jewel, in its mouth. The shoulder of the bell is encircled by a band of lotus flowers, beneath which a scrolling vine pattern is carved. Within four square yeongwak, raised border panels, nine lotus flowers with a raised centre are arranged, each much flatter and more stylised than the lotus buds seen on Silla-period bells. The body of the bell is decorated with a triad of Buddhist figures, and beneath this an inscription records the date of casting, estimated to be either the third year of King Myeongjong of Goryeo (1173) or the twentieth year of King Gojong (1233). The overall form has lines beautiful enough to recall the bronze bell of Sangwonsa Temple, and with its finely detailed dragon hook and ornamentation, it is a masterpiece of relatively large size among Goryeo-period Buddhist bells.

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Where it is

Region

Haenam, Jeonnam & Gwangju

Designation

Treasure · 보물