Detail

`The Ministry of Communications will issue on July 1 a five-won denomination postage stamp, a third photo-gravure stamp, featuring a stone lamp stand, an antique work of late eighth century which is designated as national cultural treasure No. 103. In the old days, this sort of lamp stands used to be erected in Buddhist temples to light up the courtyard for Buddhist services but strangely enough they are very rarely found in other Buddhist countries like Japan and China but in Korea where still many beautifully sculptured lamp stands are preserved. The theme of the stamp, this stone lamp stand, is 2.5meter high, made of granite with two rampant lions propping an actagonal stone lamp by their mouth and forelegs, mounted on a lotus-shaped stone laid on an octagonal stone base. This is regarded as one of the most excellent work of the Sylla dynasty for the well-balanced beauty and perfect reproduction of lions full of life in sculpture. This work illustrates the magnificence and splendor of the art works and the culture of the Sylla dynasty.`