[National Treasure] Gilt-bronze Standing Buddha from Seonsan-eup, Gumi

Name: Gilt-bronze Standing Buddha from Seonsan-eup, Gumi

Period: Unified Silla

Location: Daegu

Status: National Treasure No. 182

This statue was excavated along with two the Gilt-bronze Standing Avalokitesvara Bodhisattvas on the hill behind Bonghan 2-dong, Seonsan-gun, in North Gyeongsang during erosion control work conducted in 1976. The story goes that these Buddhist statues were first found by a peasant about 70 years ago and buried again in the present location a few years later. Although portions of the left hand and foot are missing and parts of the faces and chests have became rusty, the gilding is in relatively good condition. While it has a square face, its eyes, nose and mouth depict sharp lines. The robe is tightly wrapped around the body to reveal the contour of the body. The parallel ‘U’ shaped folds around the belly separate symmetrically on each leg. The right hand is raised, while the left hand is pointing toward the ground. Both of the palms can be seen in the front. Its posture, expressed without too much detail, represents well the style of statues of Buddha in the late Unified Silla. It was, however, made in the early 8th century, judging by its simple and stiff posture and tense face.

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