Chaoyang North Pagoda: Reliquary

CHINA, Liaoning, Chaoyang; Liao dynasty

This reliquary was recovered from the heavenly palace of Chaoyang North Pagoda in 1988. It is in the form of a single-story pagoda and weighs 209 g.
The three-layer base is engraved with cloud patterns, and the square body is supported by eight large petals which alternate with smaller petals and is enclosed by a balustrade. One of the Five Dhyani Buddhas is found on all four sides and on the inner back wall. The pagoda has a pyramidal roof decorated with pearls on the hips and beneath the eaves. There are string beads and gold cloud-shaped decorations hanging from the eave corners. A spire at the top consists of a gold lotus surrounded by pearls and is surmounted by a single gold sphere. Inside the pagoda, there is a reliquary bottle with relics enshrined within.