Mansusa Temple Temple Bell held at Wonhyosa Temple

This is a temple bell (beomjong) made in the Joseon period, with a total height of 86cm, a body height of 66cm, and a mouth diameter of 63cm. The yongnyu, the hanging loop by which the bell is suspended, is decorated with two dragons each holding a magic jewel (yeouiju) in its mouth, and above the dragons' heads a single magic jewel wreathed in flames is also carved. The carving of the dragon-head decoration and the feet is somewhat stiff. Instead of a sound tube (eumtong), a hole about 2cm across was made in the upper part of the bell. The upper band of the bell is encircled with a band of Sanskrit-letter (beomja) designs, and below this band four square nipple clusters (yugwak) and four bodhisattva images are arranged alternately along the same line. Between the nipple clusters and the bodhisattva images an inscription praying for the peace of the royal family is engraved. Inside each nipple cluster, nine nipples shaped like lotus buds are carved in relief on a lotus-flower ground. An inscription carved below the nipple clusters shows that this bell was made at Mansusa Temple in 1710, the thirty-sixth year of King Sukjong. The ratio of the body height to the mouth diameter is nearly 1:1, a proportion typical of Joseon bells, but a decline in style can be seen in the stiff rendering of the dragon-shaped hanging loop and the use of a sound hole in place of a sound tube. It also shows features typical of late Joseon temple bells, such as the disappearance of decoration at the striking point (dangjwa) and along the lower band, making it important material for studying changes in the style of temple bells.

AI Translation

Where it is

Region

Buk-gu, Jeonnam & Gwangju

Designation

Provincial Tangible Heritage · 시도유형문화유산