Canopy

JAPAN; Kamakura period

This canopy was made in Japan in the 14th century and would have been hung from the ceiling of a hall in a Japanese temple, above the statue of a Buddha or Bodhisattva.
The wooden canopy is carved in the form of an elaborate eight-petal lotus. Another large lotus appears in the center and has three rings surrounding it: the first ring is decorated with continuous cloud patterns against a red background; the second contains scroll leaf patterns and flowers; and the third is narrow with a bead pattern.