Gilt mandala

Ch'ing dynasty (A.D. 1644-191 l)
Height: 27.4 cm Diameter: 38.6 cm

Round, drum-shaped mandala with free ring handle on the side and hollow interior. The top surface is engraved with wave patterns. In the center stands Mount Sumeru surrounded in three con-centric circles by the Seven Jewels or Precious Articles of Royalty, the Eight Buddhist Emblems, and, on the outer edge, small shrines and earthly things. The side of the mandala is decorated with Indian lotuses and the Eight Emblems in low relief. Above the lotus decor is a band inlaid with colored stones, and below it is a row of cloud patterns. The mandala is a cosmic diagram; this particular one represents Jambudvipa, the southern continent.

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