Inscribed "Jeongbangsa Temple" Bronze Bell held at Sinheungsa Temple, Jangheung

The bronze bell inscribed "Haenam Jeongbangsa Temple" (海南 井方寺銘 銅鐘), held at Sinheungsa Temple, Jangheung, was cast in the late Joseon period [1751, the 27th year of King Yeongjo, in the fifth month of the sinmi year, the 16th year of the Qianlong era], yet shows considerable affinity with the Tapsansa Temple Bell (Treasure No. 88, estimated to date from 1233), a masterpiece of the Goryeo period. Compared with Goryeo-period bells, the Sinheungsa bell has a wider mouth, Sanskrit-character (beomja) patterns between the upper band and the yugwak (the nipple-shaped bosses' surrounding panels), standing bodhisattva figures between those panels, and an elegant body with finely wrought decoration and a beautifully rendered yongnyu (dragon-shaped suspension loop) — an unusually accomplished example among Joseon-period bells. The head craftsman who cast the bell, Yun Chwi-o, and the assistant craftsman Yun Gwang-hyeong of Jangheung, appear to have belonged to a family of private (non-official) bell-founders active over several generations, who cast numerous bells through the 17th and 18th centuries. Living in the Jangpyeong-myeon and Jangdong-myeon areas of Jangheung, the Yun family maintained an unbroken master-to-disciple line from the 17th into the 18th century, steadily producing castings and turning out high-quality bronze bells and geumgo (bronze temple gongs), among other works. The Sinheungsa Temple bell at Jangheung is valuable not only as a work of art but also as important material for the study of Korean metal crafts, including research on bell-founders, since it preserves a precise casting date together with the names and places associated with its production. For these reasons it has been designated a Jeollanam-do Tangible Cultural Heritage.

AI Translation

Where it is

Region

Jangheung, Jeonnam & Gwangju

Designation

Provincial Tangible Heritage · 시도유형문화유산