Seoksu
Seoksu (Korean: Script error: No such module "Lang".; Hanja: Script error: No such module "Lang".Template:Category handler) are traditional Korean statues of beast, placed at or within a tomb or palace.[1] This kind of protective stone animal originated from the funeral customs of the Eastern Han dynasty.[2] Seoksu could also be placed in the pile of the stone and rubble used to surround the tomb and can be found carved on the bases of pagodas.[2]
Types
Stone animal statues, named seongmul (Script error: No such module "Lang".; Script error: No such module "Lang".Template:Category handler) came in various forms, including but not limited to lions, horses, oxen, elephants, pigs, tigers or the mythical animal haetae.[1]
King Muryong's tomb
One such figure was found in the center aisle of the tomb of King Muryeong. It is Script error: No such module "convert". in height, Script error: No such module "convert". in length, and Script error: No such module "convert". in width. The animal is somewhat realistic, depicting a tail and anus. However, a steel horn shaped like a leaf and flame patterns depicting wings which run from the left and right of the body and on the legs show that it is not based on a real creature. The seoksu has a blunt mouth and a big nose without nostrils. The mouth has remnants of red paint on it, suggesting that the figure was once brightly painted.[2]
Although this seoksu is of a lower quality than some of the other treasures found within the tomb, it is especially valuable because it is the first stone figure excavated buried with Baekje kings.[2]
The figure is the 162nd National Treasure of Korea and was designated by the South Korean government on July 9, 1974. It is currently held in the Gongju National Museum.[2]
See also
References
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