국립중앙박물관 NATIONAL MUSEUM OF KOREA

Highlights
Sarira Reliquaries from the Five-story Brick Pagoda of Songnimsa Temple
  • Nationality/Period

    Unified Silla Period

  • Materials

    Metal - Silver

  • Category

    clothes - official hat - ornament for crown - bead ornament

  • Dimensions

    H. 22.3cm

  • Designation

    Treasure 325-4

  • Accession Number

    Sinsu 332

Discovered in 1959 during repair work on the Five-story Brick Pagoda in Songnimsa Temple in Chilgok-gun, North Gyeongsang-do Province, this pavilion-shaped miniature stupa is one of the sarira reliquaries, including a glass cup and bottle, contained within a tortoise-shaped stone chest stored in the brick pagoda. This exquisite artifact was found inside a stone chest contained in the second story of the pagoda. It is marked by the shape of a tree with branches spreading from the main trunk in fine symmetry and with “jewel beads” at the end. The stem is half-bent vertically and the branches are attached with about 200 tiny circular gold leaves.