Norbulingka Palace: Pavilion with Prayer Wheel

CHINA, Tibet, Lhasa

A copper alloy prayer wheel is housed within this hexagonal pavilion consisting of a base, body, and imitation roof. It measures 36.5 cm high and 15.5 cm in diameter. The base has three tiers with various designs: the bottom has a scrolling leaf pattern followed by a bead pattern, the middle consists of inverted lotus petals, and the top has a key pattern. There are balustrades surrounding the bottom of the body, and the wheel is revealed through a flame design in the middle. The pavilion has a pyramidal roof surmounted by a plain harmika and an ornate lotus spire. There are colored beads and a bell hanging from the corners of the eaves. The finial is undecorated since it is the spindle for the roll of Buddhist text inside. A gilt relief of the Six-Syllable Mantra against a black background is present on the outside of the wheel, which is ornately decorated at the top and bottom.