
Soapstone
The statue was discovered in 1936 at Gunsuri and it depicts a Buddha seated with the head slightly tilted to one side. The statue is of Baekje (18 BCE–663 CE) origin and was listed as Treasure No. 329 in 1963.
The figure meditates serenely on a rectangular throne, the excess fabric of the monastic robe overspreading on all sides. The folds of the garment are simply depicted on the body but more fanciful at the bottom. The Buddha’s hands are clasped before the abdomen in no particular mudra. The way the fabric is presented is similar to Northern Wei dynasty (386–534) statues but different from those found at the Yungang Grottoes.
For more details, go to the Encyclopedia of Buddhist Arts: Sculpture G-M, page 401.