明中期 掐絲琺瑯金剛杵紋盒|Covered box with vajra
Unknown
mid-16th century · Cloisonné enamel · Asian Art
The two crossed vajra pestles depicted on the box’s cover are commonly used in Esoteric Buddhist rituals. In the shape of a club with multiple prongs on both ends, the vajra is a ritual weapon with indestructible and irresistible power symbolizing the energy of enlightenment. This ornament indicates the box was originally made for Buddhist ritual use, likely as a container of incense.
- Artist
- Unknown
- Date
- mid-16th century
- Medium
- Cloisonné enamel
- Culture
- China
- Department
- Asian Art
- Credit line
- Gift of Edward G. Kennedy, 1929
