charm container; figure (ritual & belief: representations)

Copper alloy amulet and prayer roll container in the form of a seated Buddhist figure wearing a robe, mounted on a rounded rectangular base. The figure and base are covered with gold pigment, with red and black detail and engraved decoration overall. The base (nn4434xii) is detached and has been replaced with a sheet of glass.

“The glass panel at the bottom of this object would have been added by a collector. The wooden base is strange too, usually these bases are metal, it looks again like a collector has been at work. The figure looks like a monk or an arhat, since he is not holding anything he is probably a monk. The face of the figure is cold gilded. It is strange that this figure is one of a pair (see 27.2.58/35a).”

Collection Information

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