Head of Buddha

Goryeo dynasty, 10th-11th century
Iron, 37.4cm (14.75 in) high
National Museum of Korea, Seoul

Although iron may not be the first material that comes to mind when thinking about sculpture, many Korean Buddhist images were produced in this medium during the late Unified Silla and early Goryeo centuries. At 14" tall the head is larger than life size, even discounting the size of its ushnisha. The forehead is missing its prominent urna, which would have been a crystal or glass inset into the cavity between the eyebrows. The slit eyes, deeply incarved eyebrows, prominent cheeks, and small mouth add up to a striking visage that combines elements of introspection, transcendence, and "Koreanness" in the early Goryeo style.