Interpretation of Hue Diversity and Coloring Pigment Analysis onto the Wooden Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva Triad and Clay Ten Underworld Kings in Namwon Seonwonsa Temple, Korea

Abstract

The Wooden seated Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva triad and Clay Statues of Ten Underworld Kings within the Myeongbujeon Hall of Namwon Seonwonsa Temple are known to have clear creators, and documented to be in 1610. The Statues serve as significant academic resources for examining the morphological changes in the statues that were actively produced in the late Joseon period. However, various damages such as exfoliation of pigment layer, cracks and breakages occurred in the studied Statues, and the pigments showed complex chemical composition. In particular, large amounts of Ca and P were detected in the white basement layer, which suggesting the existence of a whitewashed at the time of creation. The blue pigments on the Clay Statues of Ten Underworld Kings generally shows the characteristics of Sinamchae, a mixture of colored metal oxides and glassy powder. The studied Statues have been recorded in multiple repairing, and various coloration components were detected even in pigments of similar colors, indicating that were toned. Based on the coloring techniques such as over and filler paintings, it is interpreted that there was a supply and demand of materials reflected the period and social situation of the time. The results of this study can be utilized as basic data for future conservations on the Statues in Seonwonsa Temple.