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Qing Imperial Palace: Alms Bowl with the Seven Buddhas of the Past
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Qing Imperial Palace: Alms Bowl with the Seven Buddhas of the Past
CHINA, Beijing; Qing dynasty (1644–1911), dated 1758; Bamboo; H: 14.5 cm; Palace Museum, Beijing, China
According to an inscription inside this bowl, it was created in 1758 during the Qing dynasty (1644-1911). It was originally kept in the collection of the Qing Imperial Palace.
The bowl is made of bamboo and measures 14.5 cm high with a diameter of 23.6 cm. On the exterior of the bowl, there are reliefs of the Seven Buddhas of the Past, each Buddha of which is seated upon a lotus throne with hands performing the dhyani (meditation) mudra. All have a prominent usnisa surrounded by a jeweled band and wear a loose-fitting robe covering both shoulders. They have circular nimbuses and mandorlas. The inside of the bowl is incised with green characters giving information about the bowl and a poem by Emperor Qianlong (reigned 1736-1795) of the Qing dynasty . |
