Gwaneumsa Temple: Seated Buddha

SOUTH KOREA, South Jeolla, Wando; Joseon dynasty

This seated Buddha was originally enshrined at Gwaneumsa Temple. The figure’s body was carved from a whole piece of wood but the hair and hands were assembled. One of these pieces is the protruding topknot, which may originally have been enclosed in a headdress. The monastic robe is opened low at the front to reveal an inner robe. The way the robe is portrayed is reminiscent of the late Goryeo dynasty (918–1392). The figure sits in the posture of royal ease with the hands resting on the bent knees. Stylistically, the figure could also be a Bodhisattva since other figures in the same style were identified as so. Various artifacts were found inside the statue, which dates it to 1569.