Chaoyang North Pagoda: Casket Panel with Parinirvana

CHINA, Liaoning, Chaoyang; Liao dynasty

The silver casket was recovered from the heavenly palace of Chaoyang North Pagoda in 1988. This panel is on the right side of the casket and there are two similar silver panels on the left and the back sides. The exquisite illustrations on the panel have been created using engraving technique.
This panel is finely engraved with an illustration of the Buddha as he passes into parinirvana. The Buddha has curled hair and wears a robe that bares his right shoulder. His body rests on his right side on a rectangular platform in front of two sala trees. He is surrounded by grieving disciples, most of them touching the platform or standing mournfully in the background. In front, there are two mourning mythical creatures lying on their backs with their legs in the air and their mouths open. A Heavenly King on the right wears armor and has a flowing stole with two yaksas beneath his body.