Reliquary

PAKISTAN

This sandstone Gandharan reliquary is in the form of a sphere with a flat base and consists of a body and a lid. The inscription on the body is in ancient Indian script, with the name of the donor, Shatruleka, and members of his family, as well as the date when the reliquary was placed inside the stupa. The lid is carved with a large and small row of lotus petals, the lower of which has a plain knob, whereas the upper part is delicately designed as a small-scale replica of the larger reliquary, with a cone at the apex.
The reliquary contains two exquisite round boxes, the smaller in gold and the larger in silver. The lids are decorated with lotus petals. Inside, there are two minute gold containers, gold foiled lotuses, pearls, semi-precious stones, and a crystal vase.