Collection Online as of January 26, 2021
Buddhist Sutra Container
은제불경상자 (銀製佛經匣)
Korea, Goryeo period
(918-1392)
Gilt silver with incised Buddhist designs
Overall: 9.5 x 6 x 2.3 cm (3 3/4 x 2 3/8 x 7/8 in.)
Gift of Mitsuru Tajima 1998.122
Location
not on view
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.