Namhaeyongmunsa Temple Bronze Bell

This bronze bell, kept inside Daeungjeon Hall of Yongmunsa Temple in Namhae, has a single sound tube and a single dragon-shaped hanging loop. The flat head plate is formed of twelve elongated, rectangular lotus petals, and the bell's profile widens from the shoulder down toward the mouth. The dragon loop shows the dragon's open-mouthed head and its two three-toed feet all touching the head plate; its body forms an arched shape supporting a single wish-fulfilling jewel, and its tail coils twice around the sound tube. The dragon's head is vividly rendered, with large eyes, sharp teeth, a wide-open mouth and expressive horns, and the scales are depicted in a relatively realistic manner. The rim of the sound tube's opening takes the form of four lotus leaves in full bloom, with a diagonal-line pattern below it. The upper band bears raised circular medallions, each inset with a Sanskrit siddham character, arranged in a row. On the body of the bell four nipple panels are placed, with four standing bodhisattva images, hands joined in prayer, set between them; no separate striking panel is provided. Each trapezoidal nipple panel contains a total of nine raised bosses with their seats, and the panel borders are decorated with a continuous arabesque scroll pattern. The bodhisattva figures are rendered in relief within trapezoidal frames; each has a round halo formed of two lines around the head and wears an ornate crown. The faces show relatively realistic treatment of the nose and mouth, and over their skirts they wear a heavenly scarf, its drapery folds rendered very naturally. The lower band, about 5 cm up from the mouth of the bell, is encircled with a lotus arabesque pattern.

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Where it is

Region

Namhae, Gyeongnam

Designation

Cultural Heritage Material · 문화유산자료