Stone Lantern in Balsan-ri, Gunsan

Basic information

Designation

Treasure No.234

Category

Sites & Pagodas

Era

통일신라시대

Designated year

1963

Location

군산시, 전북특별자치도— 전북 군산시 개정면 바르메길 43 (발산리)

Coordinates

35.959446, 126.796529

Moved from Bongnimsa Temple in Wanju-gun to the present location during the Japanese occupation (1910-1945), this stone lantern was named after the current location. It consists of three-tiered pedestal, a light chamber and a roof stone. The column with a carved dragon pattern supporting the light chamber is unique among other Korean stone lanterns. The octagonal light chamber has four windows with each of the Four Guardian Kings carved between them. The octagonal roof stone with a single-tier cornice is curved upwards at the corners. The ornamental top portion is missing, but the upper part of the roof stone is decorated with lotus petals to support the ornaments. Even though the images of the Four Guardian Kings and the roof stone of this lantern follow the style of the Silla Dynasty, the octagonal shape of the middle part of the pedestal and the light chamber is the style of the later era. For this reason, the lantern is assumed to have been made in the 10th century during the early Goryeo Dynasty.

Location