Famen Temple Pagoda: Nested Reliquaries

CHINA, Shaanxi, Baoji; Tang dynasty

Recovered from the underground palace of the pagoda in 1987, this set of reliquary boxes was commissioned by Emperor Yizong (reigned 859–873) of the Tang dynasty to enshrine the Buddha’s finger bone relic. Only seven of the original eight boxes remain.
The outermost reliquary, which no longer exists, was made of sandalwood and painted black. It had images depicting the Buddha teaching the Dharma, the Pure Land, and Paying Homage to the Buddha. The second reliquary, square with each side measuring 20.1 cm wide and 23.5 cm high, is made of gilt silver. Twin dragons play with a jewel on the lid, the sides of which are decorated with various figures and patterning. Each side of the box has an image of a Heavenly King attended by Dharma protectors, monks, and yaksas.
The third reliquary is made of silver and is 18.4 cm long, 17.5 cm wide, and 19.3 cm high. The lid and body are connected with a chain. The fourth is made of gilt silver and measures 15.8 cm long, 14.8 cm wide, and 16.2 cm high. The lid has an image of a golden Dharma wheel at its center, flanked by two mythical creatures. Each corner of the lid has a vajra. A pair of phoenixes decorate the slopes of the lid and the sides have apsaras. The front of the reliquary shows the Buddha teaching the Dharma, flanked by two Bodhisattvas. Various figures making offerings are seen on each side. The sides have reliefs of Bodhisattvas and Vairocana Buddha.
The fifth reliquary is made of gold and measures 13.5 cm long, 12.9 cm wide, and 13.5 cm high. The lid has a pair of phoenixes with a lotus at each corner, and ducks on a scroll leaf background on the sides. On the front is a relief of a Six-Armed Avalokitesvara surrounded by six attendants. The sides have reliefs of three Buddhas and a variety of figures.
The sixth reliquary is also made of gold and is decorated with precious stones. It is square and measures 10.5 cm along each side, and is 13.1 cm high. The lid and sides are decorated with a floral pattern in rubies and turquoises. There is a gold and pearl floral pattern covering the sides of the lid.
The seventh reliquary is made of stone. The lid is outlined with pearls, and the center has a floral design. Each side of the lid has a pair of turquoise ducks. There are pearls and a floral pattern at the center of each side of the reliquary, along with embedded turquoise and rubies.
The innermost reliquary is a single-eave pagoda made of gold. It is 4.8 cm along each side and 7.1 cm high. It has an ogee arch doorway on each side. In the center of the square pyramidal roof is a flaming jewel supported by a lotus. The pagoda is removeable to reveal the Buddha’s finger bone relic, which stood on the base over a silver pillar, which is 2.8 cm high and 0.7 cm in diameter.