Stone Standing Buddha in Seokgyo-ri, Yeongju

When discovered, this Buddha statue had a crack at the neck and was incomplete, its area below the ankles buried in the ground; following repair and conservation, however, lively details can now be seen, including feet with emphasised volume and the gracefully flowing hem of the robe. The head, covered with small snail-shell-shaped curls, bears a large topknot-shaped protrusion (usnisa) rising prominently at its crown, and the face, with refined features, is round and elegant. The body is somewhat unnatural in places, as in the right arm held close to the torso and the drooping shoulders, but the broad shoulders, narrow waist and full, rounded legs convey a real sense of vitality. The robe, covering both shoulders, flows down naturally, and its collar is rendered as a thick, rounded line. Each leg in particular bears concentric oval folds, a distinctive technique found in Buddha statues of the Three Kingdoms period. Given that these concentric oval folds are more formalised than those of the Jangchang-gok Buddha, a work of the Three Kingdoms period, yet less formalised than those of the Stone Buddha Triad in Daesan-ri, Haman (treasure), made in the early Goryeo period, this statue is presumed to date from the Unified Silla period. Although it shows some signs of relaxation and growing formalisation, it remains a fine work, still displaying taut, elegant and refined qualities.

AI Translation

Where it is

Region

Yeongju, Gyeongbuk

Designation

Treasure · 보물