Reliquaries were one of the most common devotional objects in early Buddhism, often interred under large, dome-like monuments called stupas. The most valuable relics were the actual physical remains (perhaps a bone fragment) of Sakyamuni, the historical Buddha, or of his most important disciples. Later, relics could take almost any form, including fragments of cloth from the robe of a particularly pious priest, precious and semi-precious stones, and even coins.

This reliquary was found inside an inscribed stone cask. Though the inscription stated the relics inside consisted of actual bones of the Buddha, the reliquary lid was gone, and there were no bones to be found. A collection of pearls, gemstones and four coins were all that remained, though the date on the coins (50 CE) allows us to approximate the age of the reliquary.

The reliquary itself is important not only as the best preserved example of gold work to survive from early India, but also because it is decorated with one of the earliest known images of the Buddha from the Gandhara region. The gold surface of the vessel is divided by an arched arcade into eight niches, in imitation of temple architecture, with each niche contains a figure. In two of these cells stand a Buddha, flanked by cells that contain figures facing inward towards the Buddha in attitudes of worship. The two remaining niches show figures standing with hands together in an attitude of reverence (anjali mudra).

For more alternative views, please follow this link to the British Museum web page dedicated to this reliquary.