Stone Lantern of Geumsansa Temple, Gimje

This is an octagonal stone lantern standing in the front courtyard of Daejangjeon Hall at Geumsansa Temple, Gimje. Centred on the light chamber (hwasaseok), the part that holds the flame, three tiers are stacked beneath it — a lower base stone, a central pillar and an upper base stone — with a roof stone and a finial set above; even the finial at the very top survives intact. The lower base stone has eight lotus petals carved on its round surface, and the central pillar standing on it is narrow at the top and wide at the bottom. The upper base stone is larger and heavier than the lower one, and likewise has eight lotus petals carved on its round surface. The light chamber has windows cut into all four sides so that the light could spread outward. Around each window are three small holes, which appear to have been made for attaching window panels. The roof stone is decorated at each of its eight corners with a small flower carving. The lantern as a whole shows a beauty of simplicity, and judging from the flower carvings on the roof stone and the carving technique of each part, it is thought to be a work of the Goryeo period.

AI Translation

Where it is

Region

Gimje, Jeonbuk

Designation

Treasure · 보물