Journal of the Korea Furniture Society (한국가구학회지)

Korea Furniture Society (한국가구학회)
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Species of Wooden Buddhist Statues of the Late Joseon Dynasty in Jeollado, South Korea

전라도지역 조선후기 목조불상의 수종

  • Park, Won-Kyu (Department of Wood & Paper Science, Chungbuk National University) ;
  • Oh, Jung-Ae (Department of Cultural Heritage Science, Chungbuk National University) ;
  • Kim, Yo-Jung (Tree-Ring Material Bank, Chungbuk National University) ;
  • Kim, Sang-Kyu (Tree-Ring Material Bank, Chungbuk National University) ;
  • Park, Suh-Young (Department of Art History, Hongik University) ;
  • Son, Byung-Hwa (Tree-Ring Material Bank, Chungbuk National University) ;
  • Choi, Sun-Il (Office of Cultural Properties Appraisal, Incheon International Airport)
  • 박원규 (충북대학교 목재.종이과학과) ;
  • 오정애 (충북대학교 문화재과학과) ;
  • 김요정 (충북대학교 목재연륜소재은행) ;
  • 김상규 (충북대학교 목재연륜소재은행) ;
  • 박서영 (홍익대학교 미술사학과) ;
  • 손병화 (충북대학교 목재연륜소재은행) ;
  • 최선일 (문화재청 인천공항 문화재감정관실)
  • Published : 2010.01.25
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Abstract

The objective of this study is to identify the species of 17 wooden Buddhist statues of the late Joseon Dynasty (the 17th and 18th century) in Jeollado, southwestern region of Korea. The bodies of statues were made of Ginkgo (Gingko biloba L.: 88%) and alder (Alnus spp.: 12%). The hands of statues were alder(64%), willow (Salix spp.: 27%) and Ginkgo(9%). The bottoms of hollow bodies were covered all with Japanese red-pine (Pinus densiflora S. et Z., 'sonamu') panels. The main species of statue body, Ginkgo tree was known to be introduced to Korea from China with Buddhism. The results indicated that Ginkgo trees of Korea in the 17th century had already become large and rich enough to be used for most of statues. Ginkgo wood has low shrinkage and even texture, which are crucial for carving sculptures. Alder and willow woods used for statue hands have fine and firm textures. The pedestals for these statues were also made of red pine wood. Red pine woods have rather high shrinkage and low hardness, but it is versatile woods strong enough to support heavy statues.

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