Korea, Goryeo dynasty (918–1392) / 1100s
Sutra Container
The Cleveland Museum of Art catalogs Sutra Container as metalwork (Korea, Goryeo dynasty (918–1392) · 1100s).
This is a portable container once used to preserve a miniature Buddhist sacred text, particularly useful for traveling Buddhist pilgrims.
A CLOSER LOOK
The museum identifies this metalwork as gilt bronze with incised and high relief decoration.
The museum's collection notes: 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.
FOLLOW THE EVIDENCE
The Cleveland Museum of ArtSutra ContainerOriginal explanation based on the sources above. Images carry their own reuse terms.