National Treasures & Important Cultural Properties
of National Institutes for Cultural Heritage, Japan

This image exhibits a unique way of wearing a robe, such as a kun (a skirt) rolled up to the ankles. The same style of wearing a robe can be found in the standing stone image of the Maitreya (excavated from the ruins of Gamsansa Temple) with the inscription of the year 719 during the integrated Silla period. Both images seem to reflect a trend of following the characteristics of Indian Buddhist images during the Tang period.
The image, including the lotus core of the pedestal, is created in one cast except both hands that are cast separately. (This image was stolen in 1932, when the right hand and the halo were lost. According to a photo taken before the theft, the right hand faced front with the third and fourth fingers being bent and others stretched straight). Only the lotus core is hollowed out and the body above it is solid. The area below the pedestal with the down-turned lotus petals is created separately from the body in one cast. There is a mortise in the upper center of the down base, into which the tenon at the bottom of the lotus core was inserted to secure the entire image. While there are small mold cavities in the entire image and pedestal with down-turned lotus petals, the overall casting finish is good. Gold plating remains over almost the entire surface except the reverse side of the head ornament and part of the hair. For coloring, a slight amount of vermillion (or Bengala) can be identified only on the lips.