Cleveland Museum of Art

Alms Bowl

Date: c. 900s
Medium: gilt bronze
Culture: Japan, Heian period (794–1185)
Department: Japanese Art
Institution: Cleveland Museum of Art

Alms bowls used by Buddhist monks to receive donations have traditionally been made of iron or wood. This bowl, made of gilt bronze and decorated with incised designs of birds and flowers in roundels as well as butterflies, is instead a luxury item likely meant for a Buddhist altar, where it would have contained offerings for a Buddhist deity.

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