Corner Pillars with Vajrapanies

These four stone pillars were moved to the museum from a temple site in Ha-dong, Gyeongju. Each pillar is engraved with an image of the Vajrapanies on either side, for a total of eight Vajrapani images. The lower halves of the Guardians’ bodies are curved, so that the body forms an S-shape. Each figure has one clenched fist raised above its head, with the other hand down near the waist. Their eyes are wide open beneath lowered eyebrows, and the muscles of the neck and naked upper body create a dynamic sense of energy. The corner pillars are presumed to have been used to support the first story of a stupaa, such as the Stone-brick Stupa in Bunhwangsa Temple or a stone stupa at the Guhwang-dong Temple Site.