Heungguksa Mokjoseokgayeoraesamjonsang, Yeosu

Basic information

Designation

Treasure No.1550

Category

Sculpture

Era

1628~1644년

Designated year

2008

Location

여수시, 전라남도— 전라남도 여수시 흥국사길 160(중흥동, 흥국사) 흥국사

Coordinates

34.751200, 127.661400Museum-based location

As the principal Buddha in Daeungjeon Hall of Heungguksa Temple, this Sakyamuni Triad is comprised of Sakyamuni and two attendant Bodhisattvas, Maitreya and Dipamkara. The Bodhisattva figures have embossed inscriptions on the back of their crowns, which mean “Maitreya, Chongzhen Era of Great Ming” and “Dipamkara, Chongzhen Era of Great Ming,” respectively. Hence it is known the Buddha triad, symbolic of assuring enlightenment, was made during the reign of Chongzhen Emperor (r. 1628-1644) of the Ming Dynasty. Sculpted with great skill, the images have a good sense of volume, with the hands and feet naturally depicted and the folds in the robes and the accessories gorgeously expressed. The Buddha image well represents the simplicity of 17th-century Buddhist sculpture, while the two Bodhisattvas show natural postures and majestic physical proportions. As there are few other Sakyamuni triads of comparable scale and stylistic refinement dated to the early 17th century, these figures are considered representative of Buddhist sculpture of late Joseon in terms of iconography and sculpting style.

Location