Sinheungsa Stone Seated Amitabha Buddha, Ulsan

Basic information

Designation

Treasure No.2149

Category

Sculpture

Era

조선 인조 27년(1649)

Designated year

2021

Location

북구, 울산광역시— 울산광역시 북구 대안4길 280 (대안동, 신흥사)

Coordinates

38.125500, 128.464300Museum-based location

This English description was machine-translated and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the original Korean text for details.

The stone Amitabha Buddha statue from Shinheung Temple in Ulsan is carved from fluorite, a silicate mineral white in color. The statue's creation circumstances are clearly documented through devotional records indicating that the stone was quarried in 1649 from Eocheon (present-day Pohang), transported by boat to Shinheung Temple. This represents the first documented evidence of fluorite statue production sites and transportation routes in Korea. Master sculptor Yeongpaek (also written as Yeongi), who worked throughout the mid-17th century, created this statue, which stands as his only dated fluorite work. He completed this Amitabha statue as his second masterpiece following his earlier work at Hoëamsa Temple in Yangju. The main Buddha sits in lotus position with characteristic facial features and proportions typical of mid-17th century sculptural style. This Shinheung Temple statue provides crucial reference materials for dating and stylistic analysis of mid-17th century Buddhist sculptures, while the devotional records document specific information about stone sourcing, material transportation procedures, and sculptural commissioning practices in late Joseon.

Location