Hanging container with mountain-shaped lid

Concentric circles of lotus petals and buds resemble mountains surrounding a central peak on the lid of this hanging container. This balanced, symmetrical motif may depict Mount Meru. In both Buddhist and Hindu mythology, this sacred mountain is considered the center of the universe, surrounded by rings of mountains and oceans. Not visible here, at the summit of Mount Meru is the heaven of the thirty-three gods, presided over by Indra, their king.