In 1942, the three-tier stone pagoda at the Hwangboksa Temple site in Guhwang-dong, Gyeongju was dismantled for restoration. Inside the pagoda, a gilt-bronze sarira reliquary was discovered, and these two Buddha statuettes, made from pure gold, were found inside the reliquary. According to the inscription on the lid of the reliquary, the pagoda was erected and the sarira reliquary was installed inside the pagoda by Silla’s King Hyoso in 692, in honor of his deceased father, King Sinmun. The inscription further states that in 706, King Seongdeok commemorated King Hyoso and King Sinmun (his father and grandfather, respectively) by installing a Dharani manuscript inside the sarira reliquary. As befitting works produced by the royal court, these two superb statues show exceptional craftsmanship, having been made with the most advanced casting techniques required for working with gold. Their overall form is perfectly balanced, with the lotus pedestal and background halo exuding a fine aesthetic sensibility.