Nongsanri Stone Standing Buddha, Geochang

Basic information

Designation

Treasure No.1436

Category

Sculpture

Era

통일신라시대

Designated year

2005

Location

거창군, 경상남도— 경남 거창군 북상면 농산리 산53번지

Coordinates

35.769803, 127.813249

This stone standing Buddha is located at the foot of a hill in Nongsan-ri, Geochang. It depicts the typical characteristics of Buddhist statues made during the Unified Silla Period. It is composed of two pieces of stone: one large piece on which are carved the figure’s two feet, and a second piece that sits on top of it and on which are carved the body and the mandorla of the Buddha. The face is large relative to the body, and although parts of it have been damaged, it displays a virtuous look. The figure is wearing a tonggyeon, a robe that covers both the shoulders, the folds of which are arranged in the King Udyana style, i.e. they form a U-shape at the chest and then part at the slender waist in a Y-shape, flowing down over both thighs in bilateral symmetry. These characteristics are also found in stone Buddhas produced after the 8th century, such as the Sandstone Standing Buddha (a cultural heritage of Gyeongju National Museum) presumed to have been made around the year 700 during the Unified Silla Period; the Stone Standing Buddha at Gamsansa Temple dated around 719; and the Stone Standing Buddha on the southern side of the Four Stone Buddhas at the Gulbulsa Temple Site in Gyeongju, which are presumed to have been made around 730-760. This suggests that this particular Stone Standing Buddha in Nongsan-ri was also made around that time. The figure’s two feet are carved on a stone, which is separate from the body stone, and the damage and abrasion are so severe that only the shapes of the toes of the left foot partially remain. The large boat-shaped mandorla surrounding the body and head retains most of its original shape apart from the top right section, which has been broken off, but the flame designs are not distinguishable. Although partially damaged, this stone standing Buddha is an invaluable piece of work in that it remains in its original location and is a rather large and rare example of its kind, as well as exhibiting sophisticated carving skills.

Location