Iron Seated Buddha of Seonwonsa Temple, Namwon

Basic information

Designation

Treasure No.422

Category

Sculpture

Era

고려시대

Designated year

1965

Location

남원시, 전북특별자치도— 전북 남원시 용성로 151, 선원사 (도통동)

Coordinates

35.412415, 127.391424

This Iron Seated Buddha at Seonwonsa Temple in Namwon, Jeollabuk-do, is a typical iron Buddha statue of the Goryeo Dynasty, showing very similar characteristics to the Iron Seated Sakyamuni Buddha at Hasachang-dong, Hanam (Treasure No. 332). The Buddha’s hair is expressed in the curly nabal style (i.e. twirled up and around in a seashell-shaped fashion), and there is a crescent-shaped boju (finial) on the middle of his head, a typical feature of Buddha statues made during the Goryeo Dynasty. The Buddha’s triangular face with its sharp-looking nose, closed mouth, and protruding jaw convey a serious expression. The Buddha’s beobui (robe), which is draped over both shoulders, and his wide collar band adjusted to the right, are uniquely expressed, as if the statue is wearing a hanbok (traditional Korean clothes). The creases in the clothes are expressed in a simple "凸" shape, a popular technique of the time. The shoulders are straight and the chest is solid, giving the Buddha a robust and majestic impression. Two arms are placed around the slender waist. The hands were attached recently, but looking at the arms, it is assumed that the right hand was originally placed on a knee, with the tips of the fingers pointing downwards, while the left hand was placed on the stomach. As seen above, this Buddha statue may appear to have many abstract characteristics, but it is a valuable work that exhibits the characteristic features of iron Buddha statues of the Goryeo Dynasty through its balanced figure and sophisticated casting technique.

Location