Iron Seated Buddha in Seonwon-dong, Yeongcheon

Basic information

Designation

Treasure No.513

Category

Sculpture

Era

고려시대

Designated year

1969

Location

영천시, 경상북도— 경북 영천시 임고면 환구길 144, 선정사 (선원리)

Coordinates

36.039487, 128.968873

This iron seated Buddha from the early Goryeo Dynasty features a stable physical balance and a voluminous body that indicate a continuity with the style of the Buddha statues made during United Silla. It is a good example of the kind of iron Buddha statues that were prevalent from the end of the United Silla to the Goryeo Dynasties. A large usnisa (a protuberance symbolizing supreme wisdom) can be seen on top of the Buddha’s head, and in the middle of the head above the forehead is a half-moon shape, a feature commonly found in Buddha statues made during the Goryeo Dynasty. The round face has raised eyebrows, oblique eyes, a short philtrum, and a firm-set mouth that conveys a solemn impression. The thin, close-fitting beobui (sacerdotal robe) hangs over his left shoulder, leaving the right shoulder exposed. As the simple expression of the folds in the clothes is somewhat similar to the geometrical figures of the folds on the Iron Seated Vairocana Buddha kept by the National Museum of Korea, or the Iron Seated Buddha of Danhosa Temple, Chungju (Treasure No. 512), the development of the sculpturing styles of iron Buddha statues made during the Goryeo Dynasty can be noted. With its excellent workmanship, this statue is regarded as representative of the style of Buddha statues of the early Goryeo Dynasty, on the basis of the half-moon pattern above the forehead, the rather stiff facial expression, and the simplified depiction of the body.

Location