Fire-gilded bronze. Sino-Tibetan, 18th century

Typical structure of the Tibetan stupa. The richly gilt bronze consists of two parts. The lower is quadratic and has several steps, adorned with horizontal lotus rows and holds pairs of lions (4 x 2 in total) on the straight walls on each side. Between each lion pair is the flaming cintamani. The upper part holds zoomorphic heads of horned beats as well as an image of the historic Buddha within a flaming border. The structure of the peak is conical, ribbed and with floral decorations, holds a dhvaja (symbol of the prevelance of Buddha’s teachings) and ends with a moon crescent, sun and pearl. Meticulous refined work, rich in detail and completely preserved gilding. The closure on bottom holds a vishvavajra and a yinyang symbol within a lotus garland in the center.
HEIGHT 18, 3 CM
From a Munich private collection, acquired in 1986 from an old Hamburg collection, afterwards collection Sohel Ch., New-Delhi - Vienna
青銅合金寶頂塔. 中國-西藏, 18 世紀. 高18.3厘米.