Sangwonsa Temple: Bell

SOUTH KOREA, Gangwon, Pyeongchang; Unified Silla dynasty

One of the oldest in Korea, this bell was listed as National Treasure No. 36 in 1962.
The bell is made of bronze and measures 167 cm high. The crown is in the form of a lively dragon that attempts to grasp the top of the bell in its mouth. On the backside of the dragon, there is an acoustic tube decorated in a lotus pattern. The waist of the bell has reliefs of four apsaras holding instruments. The stoles and ornaments on the apsaras’ bodies are engraved with fine lines and scroll leaf patterns surround them. Beneath the band under the shoulder of the bell, there are panels which feature nine lotus-shape studs, some of which have been damaged. The raised rim, which is struck by the wooden bell hammer, is decorated with scroll leaf and bead patterns.