
Gilt bronze
The statue was discovered at Gunsuri in 1936 and is the earliest Bodhisattva statue from the Baekje period (18 BCE–663 CE) and may have originally been part of a triad. It was listed as Treasure No. 330 in 1963.
The Bodhisattva wears an elaborate headpiece with large side ornaments and stands on an inverted lotus pedestal. Stoles loop across the body and their folds continues down the legs. The robe also flares out on the right side. The figure’s right hand is raised while the left hand is placed at the waist. The slight smile on the figure’s face is often seen on other statues from the Baekje period.
For more details, go to the Encyclopedia of Buddhist Arts: Sculpture G-M, page 401.