Lion Statue

The lion, known as the “King of the Beasts,” represents power and authority. Thus, the figure of a lion was widely used in the ancient arts of both the East and West. Since Buddhism was introduced to the Korean Peninsula during the Three Kingdoms Period, various lion statues emerged as forms of Buddhist art. This lion statue, whose excavation site remains unknown, is presumed to have been used as a corner pillar for an architectural structure. The lion stands in a symmetrical pose, with its front paws planted against the two corners of the base stone and its head tilted slightly to the right. It has a curly mane and gaping jaws, and its protruding eyes and nose are comically rendered. The curve of the smooth, rounded body is characteristic of lion statues from the Unified Silla Period.