Gilt-bronze Seated Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva

This small gilt-bronze image depicts Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva, who dispels the ignorance of sentient beings through wisdom, seated on a lotus pedestal. The head bears an elaborate crown decorated with floral patterns and various jewels, and a large topknot-shaped protuberance (ushnisha) is rendered at the crown of the head. A small vase is carved on the front of the crown, which, together with the sutra scroll held in the right hand, identifies this figure as Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva. The face, small in proportion to the body, bears a gentle smile and gives a refined, firm impression. The body is also very supple: the chest is rendered with volume, while the waist and abdomen are barely distinguished, giving a slender appearance. The naturally flowing drapery is rendered at the back as a short scarf, and the skirt, worn pulled up close to the chest, is gathered into folds at the front and secured with a sash. A distinctive feature is a second sash tied at the waist to gather the flaring skirt, and the entire body is draped with large, elaborate bead ornaments. The pedestal is a lotus pedestal with three overlapping tiers of petals, each petal distinctively stepped along its rim. Taking together the facial expression, the slender waist, the folds and sash of the skirt, the beaded ornaments over the whole body, and the lotus design, the bodhisattva is estimated to date to the late 14th or early 15th century.

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Where it is

Region

Gwanak-gu, Seoul

Designation

Treasure · 보물