Bronze Bell of Sangwonsa Temple

This bronze bell is housed at Sangwonsa Temple on Odaesan Mountain. It was made in the 24th year of King Seongdeok's reign in Silla (725). Along with the Divine Bell of King Seongdeok the Great in Gyeongju (National Treasure) and the Bronze Bell from Uncheondong, Cheongju (Treasure), it is one of the three remaining intact Unified Silla-period Buddhist bells in Korea. Its dimensions are 167 cm in height and 91 cm in diameter at the mouth. At the very top of the bell, a dragon with a large head and strong claws forms a loop, and the sound tube (eumtong), which aids resonance, is decorated with lotus and vine patterns. The wide bands at the upper and lower parts of the bell body and the square lotus panels (yeongwak) are bordered with bead decorations, with vines carved inside, and one to four musician figures (juaksang) playing instruments are placed sparsely within. Each of the four lotus panels contains nine lotus-shaped bosses (yeonroe). Below these, in two facing areas, flying celestial musicians (juakbicheonsang) are depicted kneeling on clouds, flying through the sky while playing instruments. Between the celestial musician images, the striking points (dangjwa) are decorated with bead and lotus patterns. This bell exhibits outstanding sculptural technique, and its body narrows inward at the top and bottom ends, resembling a jar shape. Furthermore, it is the oldest extant bell in Korea and serves as the model bell possessing the unique characteristics of Korean bells.