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Hoeyang: Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva
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Hoeyang: Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva
SOUTH KOREA, Gangwon, Hoeyang; Goryeo dynasty (918–1392); Gilt bronze; H: 18.1 cm; National Museum of Korea, Seoul, South Korea
The statue was discovered at Jangyeonri in Hoeyang. The statue shows the influence of Tibetan Buddhism in Korea during the dominance of the Yuan dynasty (1271–1368). After 1231, Korea was repeatedly under attack by China and was finally defeated in 1270. From then onwards, Tibetan Buddhism was accepted by the nobility.
Avalokitesvara sits in full lotus position on an elaborately-petaled lotus throne. A three-leaf crown fronted with a seated Amitabha Buddha is located on the head. The figure is richly jeweled, the most elaborate piece being the bead ornament that descends the length of the body, gathering in the floral ornament at the waist to again subdivide in a series of pendants that overlap the throne. A stole falls from the shoulder to entwine about the arms. What the hands once held cannot be determined due to damage. |
