Shrine
1800–1900
Northern Thailand
Lacquered and gilded wood with mirrored glass, plain glass, and metal
Gift from Doris Duke Charitable Foundation’s Southeast Asian Art Collection,
2006.27.55

Shrines like this were used to hold objects of religious devotion such as Buddha images, relics, or scriptures, as well as miniature royal regalia and insignia.

This shrine has a high pedestal. Above the pedestal is an open area in which the sacred object was placed. The structure is topped by several tiers of tapering roofs, a stupa-like element, and a tiered honorific parasol.

The shape of this shrine and its decoration indicate that it was made in the northern region of Thailand. Several similar shrines are known that bear inscribed dates; a bronze one is dated to 1727, and wooden examples to 1890 and 1930.

Several of the roof decorations were broken, and have been replicated and replaced.