Sutra Container
Unknown Artist
1100s
Medium
gilt bronze with incised and high relief decoration
Dimensions
10.2 × 6.5 × 1.5 cm
Classification
Metalwork
Department
Korean Art
Museum
Cleveland Museum of Art
Credit
Gift of Mitsuru Tajima
Accession Number
1998.121
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
This is a portable container once used to preserve a miniature Buddhist sacred text. Created by hammering the reverse, high-relief designs on both the front and back of the case depict a peaceful pond where young boys are holding giant lotus flowers in their hands, and a pair of mandarin ducks are swimming. Probably the playful boys represent newly reborn souls in the Pure Land.