 |
Chaoyang North Pagoda: Sutra Reliquary
|
| |
|
Chaoyang North Pagoda: Sutra Reliquary
CHINA, Liaoning, Chaoyang;Liao dynasty (907–1125), dated 1043;Gold, silver, and copper alloy;H: 39 cm; Beita Museum, Chaoyang,Liaoning, China
This sutra reliquary was recovered from the heavenly palace of Chaoyang North Pagoda in 1988. The copper alloy base is in the form of a shallow bowl, above which there is a Sumeru support for the body of the container. Four cylinders comprise the body, each made of gold or silver.
The outermost gold cylinder measures 12 cm in diameter and is engraved with Vairocana Buddha and eight stupas. The second silver cylinder has a diameter of 11.1 cm and is engraved with three seated Bodhisattvas. The third gold cylinder is 8 cm in diameter and carved with Vairocana Buddha, eight Bodhisattvas, and an inscription dated to 1043. The fourth silver cylinder has a plain surface. The sutra is inscribed in Sanskrit and Chinese on seven silver plates connected together to form a cylinder. |
