Potala Palace: Mandala

CHINA, Tibet, Lhasa

This mandala is composed of 220,000 natural pearls. It was presented to the 13th Dalai Lama by Empress Dowager Cixi in 1908.
The mandala is 63 cm high and measures 65 cm in diameter. It has a round base with a ring of red coral beads on its top and bottom edges. Its side and top surfaces are covered with images made from pearls, between which is inlaid with additional pearls and turquoise. The surface of the base is set with the seven treasures of the cakravartin, including a wheel, a jewel, an elephant, a horse, a minister, a general, and a queen.
In the center of the mandala, there is a representation of Mount Sumeru, on top of which there is a model of a two-story temple with a gilt hip-and-gable roof. In the middle of the roof ridge, there are stacked rings, a crescent moon, sun, and jewel.