Yuan Terracotta Buddhist Reliquary Jar

Object Description

A finely moulded Yuan Buddhist reliquary jar, featuring a piriform body that rises from a short ring base. Its lid is aesthetically stylised into the shape of a blooming lotus flower, with further incisions outlining the segmented petals radiating from the top of the lid. Crude geometric decorations, composed of spherical shapes and incised lines, are applied on the lid’s filed, separating the lotus petals in relief from the lid’s edge. A delicate, conical knob is placed on the top of the convex lid. The main body is adorned with broad upright Bajiao leaves, an iconic Buddhist floral symbol. Anthropomorphic figures are sculpted in low relief, outlined by Bajiao leaves border.

Date: Circa 1272 – 1367 AD
Period: Yuan Dynasty

Object History

From the collection of the late Brian Page (193802018), a well-known Oriental art collector and dealer.

Object Condition

Good condition, signs of wear consistent with age; earthy encrustations remain on the surface.

Object Details