A Bronze Stupa

TIBET, 13TH CENTURY

Details

A Bronze Stupa
Tibet, 13th Century
Solidly cast on a double lotus base with beaded rims rising to a cylindrical dome and squared harmicka, supporting a lotus petal base bearing stylized tapering parasols with pendent circular banner inlaid with turquoise, surmounted by a sun and moon finial flanked by windswept ribbons, base sealed
13¼ in. (33.5 cm.) high

Lot Essay

The stupa serves as a symbolic interpretation of the five elements. The lotus base signifies earth, the dome water, the tier fire and the parasol wind. The fourteen rings around the spire represent the fourteen stages of attaining enlightenment; for a similar example, see V. Reynolds, From the Sacred Realm, Treasures of Tibetan Art from the Newark Museum, 1999, p. 146.

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