Liufu Pagoda: Reliquary Casket

CHINA, Shanxi, Changzhi; Song dynasty

This silver reliquary casket was created during the Song dynasty (960–1279). It was recovered from the underground palace at Liufu Pagoda in 1960.
The casket consists of a base, body, and lid. It is 6.3 cm long, 2 cm wide, and weighs 15 g. It is made of silver panels using repoussé technique and then joined together. The casket stands on a high Sumeru base decorated with lotus petals. On the waist section there are quatrefoil designs. On both sides of the body there are images of golden seated Buddhas with palms joined. The front features two doors with doornails at the top and a pair of door handles. The curved lid is decorated with floral and peony designs. At the front there is an elaborately decorated tympanum containing a Buddha image.