Thayekhittaya: Sri Ksetra Great Silver Reliquary

MYANMAR, Bago, Hmawza

This gilt silver reliquary was excavated from Thayekhittaya (present day Pyay) in the Bago region. It is 58.1 cm high and 40.5 cm in diameter. The cylindrical body features four repoussé seated Buddhas in the Gupta style, and there are Pali inscriptions engraved on the rim of lid and the base. From these inscriptions, it is known that the four Buddhas are Sakyamuni, Kasyapa, Kanakamuni, and Krakucchanda.
Sitting on lotus thrones, the Buddhas have curled hair with ears reaching to their shoulders. They wear thin robes that cover their left shoulders, and they perform the bhumisparsa (earth-touching) mudra. They have radiant nimbuses and on either side of their shoulders there is a makara. In between the images of the Buddha, there are disciples such as Mahakasyapa and Ananda. They face upward, smile, and wear robes covering their left shoulders. Originally, there was a Bodhi tree on top of the reliquary but only the trunk of the tree remains.