Gilt-bronze Seok Master Artisan Meorijangsik

This is the head of a monk's ringed staff (seokjang, Sanskrit khakkhara), made of gilt-bronze and thought to date from the Goryeo period. The head takes the form of a large ruyi-head-shaped loop, a curling cloud-scroll motif common in Buddhist art. Inside the loop, a Buddhist triad sits enshrined on a lotus pedestal that appears to grow from a lotus stem, and a five-storey pagoda decorates the very top. Within the large loop, which encircles the triad rather like a full-body halo, three small rings survive. Of the triad carved inside the large loop, the seated Buddha on the lotus pedestal wears a robe covering both shoulders and has a round head halo and body halo edged with flame patterns. The right hand makes the earth-touching gesture, while the left is raised to chest height with the palm turned outward in the gesture of reassurance. To either side of the main Buddha, large lotus buds and musical instruments hanging from ribbons are shown flying, arranged symmetrically. The two attendant bodhisattvas standing to either side likewise have jewel-shaped head halos edged with flame patterns, stand on lotus pedestals with their hands joined in prayer, and wear crowns; on the reverse, a fourteen-armed figure is carved flanked by guardian deity figures. Although only the head survives, its handle having been lost, this gilt-bronze staff head is rare and important. Carved inside it are the Buddhist triad as well as a many-armed figure and guardian deities, and the overall simplified style of carving suggests a Goryeo-period date. In particular, the large ruyi-head-shaped loop, the pagoda at the top, the carved Buddhist figures within, and the small rings all show outstanding craftsmanship, making this a rare piece that can be considered representative of Goryeo-period monks' staffs.

AI Translation

Where it is

Region

Gwanak-gu, Seoul

Designation

Provincial Tangible Heritage · 시도유형문화유산