'Buan Naesosa Temple Bronze Bell' from Late Goryeo Period Elevated to National Treasure Status

Among Korean and Chinese works, the highest academic value
Gold belts and others excavated from Gyeongju Geumryeongchong designated as treasures

The 'Buan Naesosa Bronze Bell,' representing late Goryeo period bronze bells, has been elevated to the status of a National Treasure. On the 26th, the Cultural Heritage Administration announced that it will pursue systematic preservation and utilization through active cooperation with the relevant local governments and managers.

This work inherits the tradition of Unified Silla while exhibiting characteristics of the Goryeo period. According to the bell inscription detailing its creation, it was made in 1222 under the supervision of monks Heo Baek and Jong Ik, with craftsman Han Jung-seo producing it at a weight of 700 geun. Originally enshrined at Cheongrimsa Temple, it was relocated to Naesosa Temple in 1850. This information is engraved in relief on the body of the bell.

The Naesosa Bronze Bell has been managed as a Treasure since 1963, regarded as a prime example of late Goryeo bronze bells. The Cultural Heritage Administration explained, "It possesses outstanding decorative and sculptural qualities, such as the dynamic dragon-shaped suspension hook that appears to be flying through the air, the shoulder section decorated three-dimensionally with lotus motifs, the body featuring bas-relief of the Triad Buddha figures instead of celestial beings, the four delicately crafted flower petal-shaped sound strikers, and its balanced proportions and beautiful curvature."

Han Jung-seo, the maker, was a craftsman active from the early to mid-13th century. Recognized as a private artisan, he was appointed as an official craftsman affiliated with government offices. His representative works include the Naesosa Bronze Bell, the Goryeongsa Bronze Drum (1213), the Bokcheonsa Bronze Drum (1238), the Sinryongsa Inscribed Small Bell (1238), and the Okcheonsa Bronze Drum (1252).

Among these, the Naesosa Bronze Bell is considered to have the highest academic value. The Cultural Heritage Administration stated, "Its style, design, and casting are very important for the study of Korean bronze bells and production techniques. The enshrinement location, donors, and maker are precisely recorded in the bell inscription, warranting protection as a National Treasure."

Meanwhile, on the same day, the Cultural Heritage Administration designated five items as Treasures: the 'Gold Belt Excavated from Geumryeong Tomb in Gyeongju,' the 'Gold Belt Excavated from Seobong Tomb in Gyeongju,' the 'Celadon Incised Parrot Pattern Jeongbyeong,' the 'Collected Works of Scholar Bokjae,' and the 'Wooden Seated Sakyamuni Buddha Statue and Associated Relics from Seonchalsa Temple in Andong.'

The Gold Belt excavated from Geumryeong Tomb in Gyeongju was unearthed by the Joseon Government-General Museum in 1924 from the Silla tomb known as Geumryeong Tomb. Geumryeong Tomb is a stone-cist tomb with a rectangular pit inside the burial chamber and a wooden coffin. At the time of excavation, significant artifacts such as a gold crown (Treasure), a pottery horse-rider figurine (National Treasure), and gold belts were discovered. One of these gold belts was found worn around the waist of the interred individual. Originally connected to leather and fabric, only the gold decorations remain today.

The belt consists of a belt ring, belt ornament, belt end ornament, and pendants. The pendants are shorter than those found in other Silla tombs, suggesting the tomb owner was a minor. The Cultural Heritage Administration explained, "The pencil-shaped (conical) pendants wrapped with gold thread and the method of decorating the curved bead caps with granulation and inlaid glass are unique cases not seen in other belts."

The Gold Belt excavated from Seobong Tomb in Gyeongju was unearthed by the Joseon Government-General Museum in 1926 from the Silla tomb known as Seobong Tomb. Seobong Tomb is also a stone-cist tomb. At the time of excavation, numerous artifacts were found, including a gold crown (Treasure), gold earrings, and a silver box inscribed with 'Year of Shinmyo in the First Year of Yeonsu (延壽元年辛卯).' Among these, the belt reflects the developmental process of Silla gold belts well. Its most notable feature is the central motif of the belt ornament. It retains the three-leaf symmetrical pattern found on the left and right sides of the gold belt excavated from the southern mound of Hwangnam Daechong, known as the oldest, but in this belt, the shape is pointed. Along with the gold belt from Geumgwanchong Tomb (National Treasure), it exhibits the most splendid decoration.

The artistic value is also highlighted in the pendant decorations. While other Silla tomb belts feature mixed materials such as glass and jade, the Seobong Tomb gold belt is mostly made of gold. It is also the longest among gold belts excavated from Silla tombs. The Cultural Heritage Administration evaluated, "Judging from the internal patterns of the belt ornament and the pendant decoration techniques, it is positioned between the Hwangnam Daechong southern mound belt and the latest-made Geumryeong Tomb belt, allowing us to observe the flow of production techniques at the time."

The Celadon Incised Parrot Pattern Jeongbyeong is a Buddhist ritual vessel made of celadon around the 12th century. It has a convex, boat-shaped body with a spout on the side for holding water and a pouring spout on top. It boasts excellent preservation without any repairs. The pouring spout is shorter than those of other existing jeongbyeong vessels. However, it has a full-bodied form and excellent glaze and surface condition, giving it high academic value. The pattern is also a rare example, featuring parrots with wings fully spread, incised in three places on the body. The Cultural Heritage Administration added, "Parrot motifs in Goryeo celadon are mainly found on footed dishes and plates. It is rare to find them on jeongbyeong vessels."

The Collected Works of Scholar Bokjae is a posthumous collection of poetry and writings by Bokjae Jeong Chong (1358?1397), a founding merit official of the Joseon Dynasty. It was compiled and edited by his son Jeong Hyo-chung and grandson Jeong Ok-gyeong. The woodblocks were completed under the supervision of Hwangbo Yang, the governor of Suyangyangdoho-bu. The upper volume contains 172 poems, and the lower volume includes 45 prose works. These include official histories such as the 'Goryeosa' compiled with Jeong Do-jeon, and the memorial letter 'Gyomunhachanseongsa Jeong Mong-ju Seo' praising Jeong Mong-ju's achievements. The Cultural Heritage Administration explained, "It contains content that complements official histories like the 'Goryeosa,' 'Goryeosa Jeolyo,' and 'Taejo Sillok,' enabling understanding of historical and political facts of the late Goryeo and early Joseon periods, as well as confirming Jeong Chong's literary character and personal networks." They also evaluated, "It is very important for research on early Joseon publishing and printing culture, as it reveals the roles and names of individuals responsible for the publication process."

The Wooden Seated Sakyamuni Buddha Statue and Associated Relics from Seonchalsa Temple in Andong are Buddhist statues and relics created in 1622 by leading sculptor monks of the time, including Hyeonjin, Eungwon, Suyeon, Seongin, and Ing-yun. The statue depicts a solitary seated Sakyamuni Buddha with a large head and narrow knees. The figure has a sturdy build, and its facial features convey solemnity, but the plump cheeks give it an overall cute impression. According to the dedication inscription, the statue was commissioned by Queen Jangryeol, the consort of King Gwanghaegun. It was made to be enshrined in Jasusas and Insusas, temples where royal concubines would enter monastic life. This provenance is also confirmed by the handwritten note 'Byeongja Saeng Wangbi Yussi Myeongui (丙子生王妃柳氏命衣)' found in the relics inside the statue, referring to Queen Jangryeol's jeogori (upper garment). The Cultural Heritage Administration explained, "It shows that the statue was produced as a personal vow of the queen and is very important for the study of Korean royal costume history, as it reveals the complete form of 17th-century Joseon royal attire."