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Korean Sculpture
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Korea's Main Page
Koryo (918~1392) and Choson (1392~1910) Period Sculpture
Koryo dynasty, succeeded Shilla, proclaimed itself to be a Buddhist nation. The iron Buddha of Kwangju, the stone Buddha triad of Kaet'aesa temple, the gilt-bronze Buddha of Munsusa temple and the wooden Buddha of Pongnimsa temple, all are representative of the best of Koryo works.
The quality as well as the quantity of Buddhist sculpture declined rapidly, however, at the beginning of the Choson Dynasty (1392-1910). Nevertheless, during the 15th century when Buddhism was suppressed by government, Buddha images of good quality were still being made. Most of the existing Choson images were made after the Japanese invasions of 1592-1598 when Buddhism recovered some of its former vitality and splendor. Buddhas of this period have their own unique qualities and merits.
Information provided by the Korean Embassy