Uncheondong Chulto Bronze Bell, Cheongju

Basic information

Designation

Treasure No.1167

Category

Craft

Era

통일신라시대

Designated year

1993

Location

청주시, 충청북도— 충북 청주시 상당구 명암로 143, 국립청주박물관 (명암동,국립청주박물관)

Coordinates

36.649664, 127.512008

This bronze bell was excavated from Uncheon-dong, Cheongju, along with a bronze statue of Buddha and a Gong-shaped Golden Drum used for Buddhist rituals. This is a mid-sized bell with total length of 78 cm, body height of 64 cm, and mouth diameter of 47.4 cm. The bell is characteristically simple; it has no design on both top and bottom parts. Within the band along the square-shaped frame are patterns of three flying deities, several vines, and three treasures. Inside the frame are nine protruding round bumps. Two flying deities are sculpted on the bell’s body. The bell has two striking points decorated with lotus flower designs, with the pattern of vines engraved between the striking points. Although part of the sound-reverberating pipe is gone, the loop at the top of the bell – having the form of a dragon with its mouth open wide and the neck slightly bent -- is found intact. The design of the dragon suggests that the bell was made during the late Unified Silla Dynasty (8th-9th Century).

Location