Qing Imperial Palace Mental Cultivation Hall: Conch with the Seven Buddhas of the Past

CHINA, Beijing; Qing dynasty

This conch was originally kept in the Mental Cultivation Hall of the Qing Imperial Palace. It is 17.2 cm high and 9.7 cm wide, and it is made of lapis lazuli and looks as if it was cut open. The edge is gilded with copper and the surface has gilded incisions of the Seven Buddhas against a dark blue background. It is also decorated with bead and lotus petal patterns. The seven seated Buddhas are similar: they have round faces, usnisas, high foreheads, and gentle smiles. A round nimbus and a mandorla following the shape of the body are shown behind each figure. Draperies appear above and hang down between each Buddha, who wear robes covering both shoulders and sit in full lotus position on lotus thrones. There are variations in the mudra that each is performing, for example the dhyana (meditation) or varada (wish-granting) mudra may be formed with the right hand, while a different Dharma instrument may be held in the left.