Kaiyuan Temple Pagoda: Reliquary Casket

CHINA, Henan, Zhengzhou; Northern Song dynasty

This reliquary casket was excavated from the base of Kaiyuan Temple Pagoda in Zhengzhou in 1974.
The casket is composed of three parts: the base, body, and cover. The Sumeru base has a yaksa at each corner, with reliefs of various beasts along the concave section.
The casket is 150 cm long. It reduces in size from front to back, and measures 53 cm high and 50 cm wide at the front. It is divided into two levels. The lower level has columns at each corner consisting of four small warriors. In between the lotus-pattern pilasters, a pair of lively heavenly musicians plays music in ogee niches. On the upper level, there are reliefs on all sides. Two reliefs of the Buddha’s Parinirvana show detailed depictions of his disciples in mourning. There is a sleeping lion among the mourners. On the front and back of the casket, there are reliefs of two warriors on guard on each side of a door.
The convex cover has seven sides and extends noticeably at the front, with the under section painted in gold. It has engravings of peonies and inscriptions that give the name of the craftsman, year of completion, and the name of the donor.