Stone Lantern at Gaeseonsa Temple Site, Damyang

The stone lantern lay buried for a long time, but the ground was recently excavated, its scattered pieces gathered, and it was re-erected. Standing 3.5 m tall, its lower base stone is carved with an inverted lotus design, its connecting pillar is shaped like an hourglass drum (janggo), and its upper base stone is carved with an upright lotus design. The fire chamber (hwasaseok), where the light is lit, is octagonal, with windows cut into all eight faces. The roof stone has a low, broad support on its underside, and its eight corners are carved with rounded flower motifs. In the space between the windows is an inscription recording that the lantern was made in 891, the fifth year of Queen Jinseong of Unified Silla. It is the only known Silla-period stone lantern to bear an inscription, making it a benchmark for studying the dates and characteristics of similar works from the period.

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Where it is

Region

Damyang, Jeonnam & Gwangju

Designation

Treasure · 보물