Portable Shrine with Stupa

CHINA; Qing dynasty

This portable shrine contains a gilt silver stupa consisting of a base, body, and spire. The Sumeru base is supported by cloud-shaped feet and the concave section is decorated with a ring of pearls. There is a balustrade decorated with flower patterns on top of the base, and the capitals of the posts are in the form of a standing lion. A dragon motif leads up to the stupa, the body of which is in the form of an inverted bowl with a niche framed with pearls, a flame pattern, and 13 rubies. Inside the niche, there is a platform with a stele upon which is inscribed, “Buddha” and “Throne of All Devas.” The spire consists of nine stacked rings decorated with cloud patterns and pearls, and a canopy fringed with pearls and with hanging decorations. The finial has two pearls with the largest at the top; on either side, there is an unfurling banner.
When opened, the box is 33 cm high and 39 cm wide. The inside is painted with scenes of Putuoshan featuring clouds along the top and waves at the bottom. There are Buddhist couplets above and on either side of the stupa reading, “Adorning the Dharma Realms,” “Removing All Suffering,” and “Illuminating the Five Skandas.”