Songnimsa Temple Five-Tier Pagoda: Nested Reliquaries

SOUTH KOREA, North Gyeongsang, Chilgok; Unified Silla dynasty

This set of reliquaries was recovered from the five-tier brick pagoda at Songnimsa Temple. In 544, monk Myeonggwan brought back relics from China and built the temple to enshrine them. Later, a pagoda was constructed. A number of artifacts were uncovered in 1959 when the pagoda was reconstructed. This reliquary set was found placed inside a tortoise-shape stone container. It was listed as Treasure No. 325 in 1963.
The nested reliquaries include an outer pavilion with a cup in the center containing a reliquary bottle. The base of the pavilion consists of inverted lotuses, and the top is enclosed by balustrades with pillars on each of the four corners. The canopy is elaborate with a raised central section. Ornaments hang down from the lower part of the canopy, and chains with pendants hang from the four corners down to the base. The green glass vase has a series of rings on its surface and is held in place by upright lotus petals. The delicate light green crystal reliquary bottle is placed on the bottom of the vase. The bulb of the reliquary is followed by a long slender neck. An elegant dark-green onion-shaped stopper with its base extended downward rests in the neck of the reliquary.