Geumdong Mireuk Bosal Bangasang
Encyclopedia
Geumdong Mireuk Bosal Bangasang is a gilt
-bronze
statue of Maitreya
seated in meditation and is one of the best known and regarded Korean Buddhist sculpture
s. It was designated as the 78th national treasure of Korea on December 12, 1962.
The statue is 83.2 centimeters in height. It was cast from gilt-bronze, probably in the middle or late 6th century. The bronze is less than one centimeter in thickness which attests to the skills of bronze-workers during this time period.
In 1912 a Japanese person acquired it, and donated it to the General Governing Department of Japan over Joseon
. It is currently housed at the National Museum of Korea
.
The maitreya is semi-seated on a stool with its right leg crossed over the left in deep meditation. The face of the statue, has a hint of a smile, and exhibits a sense of serene concentration. The right arm of the statue, at the elbow, rests on its lap while its delicate hand reaches towards its cheek giving the impression of deep thought. One shoulder of the maitreya is slightly higher than the other and the upper body is slightly bent forward which also creates the impresses on the viewer an aura of deep thought. The statue wears a crown which is rather elaborate with many prongs and parts of the crown rest on the shoulders of the maitreya. The statue is also dressed in a complicated scarf-like vestment that curves around the body with wing-like projections. The left foot rests on a base which is shaped like a lotus flower. The statue is probably of Silla
provenance because of the style is more formalized than realistic.
At one point, the statue had a halo, but only traces of it remain.
Gilding
The term gilding covers a number of decorative techniques for applying fine gold leaf or powder to solid surfaces such as wood, stone, or metal to give a thin coating of gold. A gilded object is described as "gilt"...
-bronze
Bronze
Bronze is a metal alloy consisting primarily of copper, usually with tin as the main additive. It is hard and brittle, and it was particularly significant in antiquity, so much so that the Bronze Age was named after the metal...
statue of Maitreya
Maitreya
Maitreya , Metteyya , or Jampa , is foretold as a future Buddha of this world in Buddhist eschatology. In some Buddhist literature, such as the Amitabha Sutra and the Lotus Sutra, he or she is referred to as Ajita Bodhisattva.Maitreya is a bodhisattva who in the Buddhist tradition is to appear on...
seated in meditation and is one of the best known and regarded Korean Buddhist sculpture
Korean Buddhist sculpture
Korean Buddhist sculpture is one of the major areas of Korean art. Some of the finest and most technically accomplished Buddhist sculpture in East Asia and World were produced in Korea....
s. It was designated as the 78th national treasure of Korea on December 12, 1962.
The statue is 83.2 centimeters in height. It was cast from gilt-bronze, probably in the middle or late 6th century. The bronze is less than one centimeter in thickness which attests to the skills of bronze-workers during this time period.
In 1912 a Japanese person acquired it, and donated it to the General Governing Department of Japan over Joseon
Joseon Dynasty
Joseon , was a Korean state founded by Taejo Yi Seong-gye that lasted for approximately five centuries. It was founded in the aftermath of the overthrow of the Goryeo at what is today the city of Kaesong. Early on, Korea was retitled and the capital was relocated to modern-day Seoul...
. It is currently housed at the National Museum of Korea
National Museum of Korea
The National Museum of Korea is the flagship museum of Korean history and art in South Korea and is the cultural organization that represents Korea...
.
The maitreya is semi-seated on a stool with its right leg crossed over the left in deep meditation. The face of the statue, has a hint of a smile, and exhibits a sense of serene concentration. The right arm of the statue, at the elbow, rests on its lap while its delicate hand reaches towards its cheek giving the impression of deep thought. One shoulder of the maitreya is slightly higher than the other and the upper body is slightly bent forward which also creates the impresses on the viewer an aura of deep thought. The statue wears a crown which is rather elaborate with many prongs and parts of the crown rest on the shoulders of the maitreya. The statue is also dressed in a complicated scarf-like vestment that curves around the body with wing-like projections. The left foot rests on a base which is shaped like a lotus flower. The statue is probably of Silla
Silla
Silla was one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea, and one of the longest sustained dynasties in...
provenance because of the style is more formalized than realistic.
At one point, the statue had a halo, but only traces of it remain.