Qing Imperial Palace: Alms Bowl with the Seven Buddhas of the Past

CHINA, Beijing; Qing dynasty

This jade bowl was said to have been commissioned by Emperor Qianlong (reigned 1736–1795) of the Qing dynasty, who intended for it to resemble an exquisite Buddha bowl, which he had seen on a visit to Kaiyuan Temple in Suzhou in 1757. This bowl is 8 cm high and 14.5 cm in diameter. Around the outside of the bowl are images of the Seven Buddhas of the Past. All appear similar with a round nimbus, curled hair, low usnisa, round face, urna between the eyebrows, and serene expressions. They wear loose robes covering the shoulders, with the folds clearly visible. Their hands are placed in dhyana (meditation) mudra as they sit in full lotus position on a Sumeru throne with legs covered by the robe. On the base of the bowl, there is a swirling pattern shaped like a lotus.