Artwork Page for Buddhist Sutra Container

Details / Information for Buddhist Sutra Container

Buddhist Sutra Container

은제불경상자 (銀製佛經匣)

1100s-1200s

Korea, Goryeo dynasty

(918–1392)
Medium
gilt silver with incised Buddhist designs
Measurements
Overall: 9.5 x 6 x 2.3 cm (3 3/4 x 2 3/8 x 7/8 in.)
Credit Line
Gift of Mitsuru Tajima 1998.122
Public Domain
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Location
Not on view
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Did You Know?

This container was designed to hold a portable Buddhist sacred text.

Description

This container was designed to hold sutras, or Buddhist sacred texts. The Four Heavenly Kings, one for each of the cardinal directions, are incised on the exterior of the container. Images of the Four Heavenly Kings can often be found on Korean containers for sacred relics and sutras, and are symbolic of the wish to preserve the Buddha’s teachings.
A rectangular gilt silver container features a border of swirling scrolls framing a central panel of four incised figures in two rows. Wearing armor and draped robes, the figures with circular halos stand atop stylized clouds, with the top-left figure holding a vertical sword. A prominent crack runs from the weathered bottom edge diagonally across the muted gold surface, highlighting the worn condition of the metallic face.

Buddhist Sutra Container

1100s-1200s

Korea, Goryeo dynasty (918–1392)

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