When the Wooden Altar Is Removed, the Buddha's Robe Flutters

Cultural Heritage Administration Renovates Iksan Yeondong-ri Stone Seated Buddha Statue... Replaces Wooden Altar with Reinforced Glass

Seated Stone Buddha Statue in Yeondong-ri, Iksan, After Restoration Completion

The Cultural Heritage Administration recently announced on the 29th that the pedestal (the base on which the Buddha statue is placed) of the Iksan Yeondong-ri Stone Seated Buddha (Treasure No. 45) has been fully revealed after maintenance. The wooden altar that had been covering the pedestal was replaced with reinforced glass. An official stated, “Visitors can now fully appreciate the complete scale of the stone Buddha. In particular, the pedestal, which depicts the flowing robes of the Buddha, can be clearly seen.” The previously installed wooden altar was used to hold offering items such as incense burners, flower vases, candlesticks, and tea sets.

The Iksan Yeondong-ri Stone Seated Buddha is the largest Baekje hollow-cast (a sculpture expressed three-dimensionally so that it can be touched by circling around it) Buddha statue. Including the pedestal, it measures 2.68 meters, and including the halo (a circular light behind the head or back symbolizing the sacredness of the figure) base stone, it measures 3.93 meters. Although the Buddha’s head (Buddha’s headpiece) was newly created as it was missing at the time of discovery, the halo and pedestal remain well preserved, making it a masterpiece of Baekje art.

Stone Seated Buddha Statue in Yeondong-ri, Iksan Before Restoration

The Cultural Heritage Administration and Iksan City carried out the maintenance as part of the ‘2020 Baekje Historic Areas Conservation and Management Project,’ one of the government innovation initiatives. A detailed survey of the stone Buddha was conducted until August, and based on this, the physical proportions and the appearance of other Buddha statues will be analyzed to improve the awkward appearance of the Buddha’s head.

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