The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of April 19, 2024

Sutra Container

Sutra Container

1100s
(918–1392)
gilt bronze with incised and high relief decoration
Overall: 10.2 x 6.5 x 1.5 cm (4 x 2 9/16 x 9/16 in.)
Gift of Mitsuru Tajima 1998.121
Location: 236 Korean

Did You Know?

This is a portable container once used to preserve a miniature Buddhist sacred text, particularly useful for traveling Buddhist pilgrims.

Description

This is a portable container once used to preserve a miniature Buddhist sacred text. Created by hammering the reverse, high-relief designs on both the front and back of the case depict a peaceful pond where young boys are holding giant lotus flowers in their hands, and a pair of mandarin ducks are swimming. Probably the playful boys represent newly reborn souls in the Pure Land.
  • ?–1998
    Mr. Mitsura Tajima, Tokyo, Japan, given to the Cleveland Museum of Art
    1998–
    The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH
  • Goryeo: The Glory of Korea [대고려, 그 찬란한 도전]. Seoul: National Museum of Korea, 2018.
    Choi, Eung-chon. “Craftsmen in Metal Arts in the Goryeo Dynasty [고려시대 金屬工藝의 匠人].” Misulsahak yeongu (2004): 171-192. www.dbpia.co.kr
    Choi, Eung-chon. “Metal Arts in the Late Goryeo Period [고려후기의 금속공예].” Kangjwa misulsa (2004): 125-156. www.dbpia.co.kr
    Cunningham, Michael R., "Sacred Metalwork of Korea", Cleveland Museum of Art. Cleveland Art: The Cleveland Museum of Art Members Magazine. Vol. 43 no. 05, May 2003 Mentioned & reproduced: p. 8-9 archive.org
    Goryeo Dynasty: Korea's Age of Enlightenment, 918-1392. San Francisco: Asian Art Museum, 2003.
    Kim, Eun-ae. "A Study of Repoussé Works of Goryeo [고려시대 타출 공예 연구]." Misulsahak yeogu (2007): 31-72. www.dbpia.co.kr
    Kim, Ri-na. Korean Buddhist Art [한국불교미술사]. Seoul: Mijinsa, 2011.
    Ch'a, Mi-rae, Kwi-suk An, Cleveland Museum of Art, and 국외소재문화재재단. The Korean Collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. Edited by An Min-hŭi. First edition, English ed. Overseas Korean Cultural Heritage Series, 16. Seoul, Republic of Korea: Overseas Korean Cultural Heritage Foundation, 2021. Mentioned and reproduced: p. 108-109, no. 69
  • {{cite web|title=Sutra Container|url=false|author=|year=1100s|access-date=19 April 2024|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}

Source URL:

https://www.clevelandart.org/art/1998.121