Sri Lankan Silver & Enamel Dagoba Reliquary

This high-grade silver model stupa (the Sinhalese word for stupa is dagoba) was made to serve as a Buddhist reliquary. It appears based on the silver stupa reliquary used in the Sri Dalada Maligawa or Sacred Tooth Temple in Kandy to house the relic of the tooth of the Buddha.

It has three parts – the base separates from the body of the stupa and is held in place with a bayonet-style fitting. Once opened, the interior chamber is revealed. The spire also pulls out, thus revealing another smaller chamber.

The lower part of the stupa comprises five concentric borders, each chased with typically Kandyan floral motifs. The min part of the body of the stupa has been left plain. Its upper section is engraved with leaf motifs which have pendant motifs in the for cardinal directions. The spire rises from a square section and includes a pierced spherical section. Unusually for Sri Lankan silverwork, it is decorated with lapets of enamel in alternating blue and turquoise hues. The upper section is decorated with diamond cartouches, pierced, and overlaid with gold.

The underside of the base is very lightly engraved with an inscription in Sinhalese script.

Reliquary stupas have a long history on Sri Lanka, going back at least to the 12th century. This accords with the rest of the Buddhist world. Stylistically, their form has hardly changed over the centuries. They are intended to hold relics such as a part of the robe or the ashes of a pious monk, if not relics from the actual Buddha.

The reliquary stupa is in fine condition.