Neungdong Stone Figure Statue and Sangseok, Gimhae

This stone civil-official figure (munin-seok) and offering table (sangseok) stand behind Neungdong Village, in front of a tomb said to be either a royal tomb of the Garak kingdom or the grave of an early Joseon-period scholar-official. The munin-seok is a stone figure of a civil official that guards the tomb, and the sangseok is a stone table used for offering rites at the tomb. This custom of placing stone structures around a tomb originated in China, and Korea adopted it in the mid-eighth century, during the Unified Silla period. Although influenced by China, Korea developed its own distinctive approach, so these stone structures are valuable for tracing the evolution of sculptural style. Judging from the official's cap, the official robes, and the way the hands hold a hol (ceremonial tablet), the munin-seok appears to have been made during the Joseon period. It has no defined neck or waist, a rounded chin and large ears, giving it a friendly appearance. The sangseok is likewise solid and dignified, and is presumed to date from the Joseon period; together, these pieces are valuable for understanding the sculptural styles and changes in tomb systems of the Joseon period.

AI Translation

Where it is

Region

Gimhae, Gyeongnam

Designation

Provincial Tangible Heritage · 시도유형문화유산