Japan, dated 1698, height 81.5 cm. Dismountable in four parts. Fire-gilt copper sheet with delicate incised ornamental decor, base with woodcore. Engraved inscription on hexagonal pedestal: "Genroku j?ichi sai tsuchinoe tora rokugatsu hi sharit? shi Miyajima Hanjir? Fujiwara Seiji kore o saku Rakuy? j?." (Made by the Master of pagoda reliquaries, Miyajima Hanjir? Fujiwara Seiji from Rakuy? (Ky?to), in the 11th year of the Genroku era with the cyclical zodiac characters, tsuchinoe tora (1698), on a day in the 6th month). Added Buddha figure in square lower body. Original interior reliquary lost. Minor traces of age/wear. For similar objects see: Pagoda reliquary (kond?hot?) at Saidaiji in Nara, around 1270, National Treasure or, Stupa reliquary (sharit?) on a turtle at T?sh?daiji in Nara, Nanbokuch? period (1336-1396), National Treasure.Provenance: Swiss private collection, purchased with Dr. Robert Bigler in 1998 (invoice available), before U.S. private collection.