Twin Lion Stone Lantern from Godalsa Temple Site, Yeoju

Basic information

Designation

Treasure No.282

Category

Sites & Pagodas

Era

고려시대

Designated year

1963

Location

용산구, 서울특별시— 서울 용산구 서빙고로 137, 국립중앙박물관 (용산동6가)

Coordinates

37.521886, 126.980965

Found lying on the ground at the Godalsa Temple site, this stone lantern was moved to Gyeongbokgung Palace in 1959. This 2.43m high pagoda only had the light chamber intact with its capstone and other parts missing at the time of discovery. Symbolic images of the elephant’s eyes are engraved on the side of square bottom stones, and two lion statues are placed on the base stone. Both lions are crouching with their paws out, with clouds on their back as if to support the upper stone. Cloud patterns are engraved in the middle of the base stone, and lotus patterns are engraved on the upper stone. The light chamber above them has four windows to all four sides. What sets these twin lion statues apart from others is that they’re crouching, while most of twin lion statues found in Korea are standing on their four legs. Judged from its carving style and technique, it was built in the 10th century during the early Goryeo Dynasty.

Location