This 15.5-centimeter tall Buddha triad was excavated in Bongsan-ri of Goksan-gun, Hwanghae-do, in 1930 and is currently housed in Leeum, Samsung Museum of Art in Seoul. Featuring Shakyamuni Buddha attended to by two bodhisattvas, it is known as the largest existing triad carved in the style wherein all three statuettes are carved on a single large mandorla. The two bodhisattvas on both ends of the mandorla are made considerably smaller than the principal Buddha they attend to, making it appear more impressive. Save for slight damages inflicted on the Shakyamuni’s chest and on the low corner of the mandorla, the triad is preserved comparatively well. The principal Buddha of the triad is characterized by a plump face wearing a benign smile, a fairly large topknot (usnisa), and the heavenly robe heavily draped down from both shoulders to cover the entire body with the hem flaring outward. His right arm is raised to show the palm outward, whereas the left arm is lowered, also showing the palm outward. The mandorla is designed to be attached to the principal Buddha through a peg projected from his back. The boat-shaped mandorla consists of two halos -- the circular one is around the head, and the almond-shaped one is around the body -- as well as decorations of lotus, vine, honeysuckle, and flame motifs and three miniature Buddha images carved in low relief. The bodhisattvas attending to the principal Buddha exhibit disproportionately large heads, slender, tubular bodies, and robes with X-shaped folds. The attendants appear to have been made with poorer skills than those that created the principal Buddha. Behind the mandorla is an inscription revealing that the triad was commissioned by five Buddhist devotees to pray for their teachers and parents. The sculptural style of the triad and the names of the devotees suggest that it is a work of Goguryeo (37BC-668). Historians conjecture that the name of the year, “Sinmyo,” as contained in the inscription is 571 when the kingdom was under the rule of King Pyeongwon (r. 559-590). The general form of the triad and the details imply that it inherited the style of the gilt-bronze Buddha statuette designated as National Treasure No. 119, although the triad is generally regarded as more refined and sophisticated than the latter.