Relic Container
2nd century-5th century (made)
| Place of origin |
Reliquary in the form of a stupa, in three parts: base, solid dome and finial in the form of a multi-tiered umbrella. A cylindrical area of the base is hollowed out for the dome to fit in it. A cavity exists between where the bottom of the dome sits and the floor of this hollow.
The umbrella section is badly broken, with parts missing.
The umbrella section is badly broken, with parts missing.
Object details
| Category | |
| Object type | |
| Parts | This object consists of 3 parts.
|
| Materials and techniques | Schist |
| Brief description | Relic container in the form of a stupa, schist, Gandhara, C2-5. |
| Physical description | Reliquary in the form of a stupa, in three parts: base, solid dome and finial in the form of a multi-tiered umbrella. A cylindrical area of the base is hollowed out for the dome to fit in it. A cavity exists between where the bottom of the dome sits and the floor of this hollow. The umbrella section is badly broken, with parts missing. |
| Dimensions |
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| Style | |
| Credit line | Given by Lt Col. E.H. Cobb, O.B.E. |
| Object history | Buddhist relics were sometimes enshrined in reliquaries in the shape of stupas. These were originally large hemispherical mounds erected to cover relics, but developed a more vertical shape with elaborate bases and finials. See for example the larger V&A stupa-shaped reliquary from Gandhara, IS.299-1951. This example was found in the Malakand area of the North West Frontier Province, Pakistan. Gandhara was a centre of Buddhist activity between the 2nd and 5th centuries with numerous monasteries and stupas. |
| Production | Found in the Malakand area, North West Frontier Province, Pakistan |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | IS.140-1954 |
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| Record created | June 25, 2009 |
| Record URL |
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