Guardian King from Silla

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James Blake Wiener
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published on 03 November 2017
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The guardian king belongs to one of the eight catagories of Buddhist beings: that of the heavenly musicians (gandharva). One can identify this statue as such because of its wild beast headdress. Technically perfect, this bronze Korean statue is unique today. The inscription on the base dates it to the "Rooster Year," without specifying the reference era. Comparing it to paintings featuring the same style and theme found in the Turfan Oasis of China's Xinjiang Province, experts can date it to the end of Unified Silla (668-918 CE) or the 9th century CE. (Musée Guimet, Paris)

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About the Author

James Blake Wiener
James is a writer and former Professor of History. He holds an MA in World History with a particular interest in cross-cultural exchange and world history. He is a co-founder of World History Encyclopedia and formerly was its Communications Director.

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APA Style

Wiener, J. B. (2017, November 03). Guardian King from Silla. World History Encyclopedia. Retrieved from https://www.worldhistory.org/image/7551/guardian-king-from-silla/

Chicago Style

Wiener, James Blake. "Guardian King from Silla." World History Encyclopedia. Last modified November 03, 2017. https://www.worldhistory.org/image/7551/guardian-king-from-silla/.

MLA Style

Wiener, James Blake. "Guardian King from Silla." World History Encyclopedia. World History Encyclopedia, 03 Nov 2017. Web. 03 Mar 2025.

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