Stone Pedestal in Mulgeol-ri, Hongcheon

Basic information

Designation

Treasure No.543

Category

Sculpture

Era

통일신라시대 후기

Designated year

1971

Location

홍천군, 강원특별자치도— 강원 홍천군 내촌면 동창로153번길 34 (물걸리)

Coordinates

37.786315, 128.146821

The Stone Pedestal at Daeseungsa Temple has survived with mandorla and its pedestal is in an intact condition while its Buddha figure is missing. The mandorla, consisting of two distinct sections, one surrounding the head area and the other surrounding the body, is currently missing the head section. Vine motifs in the center of the mandorla are surrounded by a flame design that runs all along the edges. This typical Unified-Silla pedestal is octagonal in shape and is composed of three tiers. The bottom tier is sculpted, on its lateral sides, with the images of birds and incense burners, and there is a row of downward-facing lotus petals above it. The middle tier has bas-reliefs of standing Bodhisattvas, each of them inside an alcove-like frame. The top tier is round in shape and has three rows of lotus petals with each petal adorned with small floral motifs on the inside, for a more sumptuous appearance. Based on the sculptural style and given that it was found at the same site as the Stone Seated Vairocana Buddha in Mulgeol-ri, Hongcheon (Treasure No. 542) and the Stone Seated Buddha in Mulgeol-ri, Hongcheon (Treasure No. 541), this very sophisticated Buddha pedestal is likely to also date from the 9th century; in other words, making it contemporary to the latter.

Location