Yulin Caves: Portable Shrine with the Life of the Buddha

CHINA, Gansu, Guazhou

It is thought that this unique and rare portable shrine was made in India between the 8th and 12th centuries and brought to the Yulin Caves by visiting monks.
The ivory portable shrine is in the form of an elephant, which opens to reveal intricate carvings of the Life of the Buddha. A long haired figure on the elephant looks up at the sky and holds a stupa. Both the elephant’s trunk and tail are curled, and its four sturdy legs stand on a pedestal. There is a smaller figure on the elephant’s head supporting the stupa with his back. Two other men holding knives sit on the rear of the elephant, and two others holds reins and a bowl under the elephant’s trunk. Two more men wearing pleated dhotis with horizontal stripes stand underneath the elephant holding Dharma instruments.
Inside the shrine, there are 54 compartments, many containing a scene from the Life of the Buddha. There are 279 vivid figures in these scenes; their faces and clothing have a distinct Indian appearance. The composition of each grid is detailed and rich. There is stupa at the top that corresponds to the stupa on the outside, and eight panels at the bottom are contained within an arc, which is similar in shape to an early Indian stupa.