Buddhist altar pendant (keman)

Object Details

• Description

  Pendant metal disks, known as keman, are believed to have originated in floral wreaths brought as Buddhist votive offerings. In this example, the cord tied in a bow probably is based on that which originally bound garlands of real flowers. On either side of the cord are circular medallions supported upon lotus flowers. Sanskrit letters occur within the silvered medallions on both faces of the keman. Hanging from the bottom of the disk are five circular bells and two jingles. The single sheet of metal which separated the front from the back of the keman is cut into a design of lotus leaves, buds and flowers, with incised lines imparting a naturalistic appearance to the individual forms.

• Inscriptions

  Inscription in Siddha script.

• Collection

  Freer Gallery of Art Collection

• Exhibition History

  Spreading the Word (May 18 to November 12, 2018)

  The Power of Words in an Age of Crisis (October 14, 2017 to May 6, 2018)

  Moonlight and Clouds: Silver and Gold in the Arts of Japan (November 11, 2008 to November 11, 2009)

  Gold: The Asian Touch (September 10, 2005 to February 20, 2006)

  Faith and Form: Selected Calligraphy and Painting from the Japanese Religious Traditions (March 20 to July 18, 2004)

  Religious Art of Japan (December 18, 2002 to January 4, 2015)

  Beyond the Legacy--Anniversary Acquisitions of the Freer Gallery of Art (October 11, 1998 to April 11, 1999)

  Japanese Art (May 9, 1993 to November 21, 1995)

  From Concept to Context: Approaches to Asian and Islamic Calligraphy (July 28, 1986 to February 6, 1987)

  Japanese Art (March 12, 1982 to November 3, 1986)

  Japanese Art (June 16, 1982 to September 28, 1982)

  Japanese Art (February 15, 1981 to March 3, 1981)

  A Decade of Discovery: Selected Acquisitions 1970-1980 (November 9, 1979 to May 22, 1980)

  Harold P. Stern Memorial Exhibition (April 18, 1977 to September 13, 1977)

  Japanese Art (July 1, 1974 to April 10, 1978)

• Origin

  Japan

• Credit Line

  Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment

• Type

  Jewelry and Ornament

• Restrictions and Rights

  Usage Conditions Apply

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Keep Exploring

• Related Resources

  collections.si.edu

• Date

  1100s, 1300s

• Place

  Japan

• Topic

  Gilding, Repoussé, Kamakura period (1185 - 1333), Art, Japanese Art, Altars, Flowers, Lotus, Chasing, Piercing, Metal-work, Sanskrit

• Culture

  Buddhists, Japanese

• Object Type

  Ornaments, Jewelry