Reliquary in the form of a Stupa
In Sri Lanka and Myanmar—both home to the Theravada Buddhist tradition—revered teachers of the dharma were honored with the internment of their ashes in a model stupa (Sinhalese: dagoba). These reliquaries were routinely housed in temples and shrines associated with that teacher. This example is cast and engraved with ornamentation around the harmika platform at the summit of the dome and bronze Bodhi tree leaves hanging from the umbrella spire.
Artwork Details
- Title: Reliquary in the form of a Stupa
- Period: Divided Kingdoms period
- Date: ca. 15th century
- Culture: Sri Lanka (central plateau)
- Medium: Silvered copper alloy
- Dimensions: H. 14 in. (35.6 cm); Diam. 9 1/4 in. (23.5 cm)
- Classification: Metalwork
- Credit Line: Gift of Barry Fernando, M.D. and Coleene Fernando, M.D., 2019
- Object Number: 2019.435.1a, b
- Curatorial Department: Asian Art
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