Xianyan Temple Huiguang Pagoda: Nested Sutra Boxes

CHINA, Zhejiang, Rui’an; Northern Song dynasty

This set of sandalwood sutra boxes was recovered from Xianyan Temple’s Huiguang Pagoda in 1966. The outer box houses an inner box which contains a sutra.
The rectangular outer box is 40 cm long, 18 cm wide, and 16.5 cm high, and is entirely covered in light brown lacquer. The base is decorated with lacquer carvings of mythical animals and flora. The lid and four sides have lacquer carvings of Buddhas, Bodhisattvas making offerings, mythical animals, birds and flora, apsaras, and musical instruments, some of which are highlighted in gold.
The inner container resembles the outer one. It is 33.8 cm long, 11 cm wide, 11.5 cm high, and is covered in light brown lacquer. The lid and four sides are decorated with carvings of honeysuckle, chrysanthemum diamond-shape patterns, rosettes, ruyi, and mythical creatures; several reliefs are highlighted in gold. Although the gold inscription on the base is no longer visible, the year of 1042 is still discernible. This piece is considered an outstanding example of lacquer work from the Song dynasty (960–1279).