A COPPER ALLOY STUPA NEPAL, 17TH/18TH CENTURY 6 in. (15.2 cm) high Footnotes: 尼泊爾 十七/十八世紀 銅佛塔 Published Melissa Kerin, Artful Beneficence: Selections from the David R. Nalin Himalayan Art Collection, 2009, pp. 46-47, no. 23. Exhibited Artful Beneficence: Selections from the David R. Nalin Himalayan Art Collection, Rubin Museum of Art, New York, 12 June - 9 November 2009. Provenance David R. Nalin Collection, acquired in 1969 This compact Nepalese stupa is raised on a square, stepped base supported by four lion-form feet. A pierced apron with circular openings runs beneath the platform. The upper plinth is articulated at the corners by four miniature stupas at the sub-cardinal directions. The domed anda rises from a double lotus base and is enriched by four Buddhas arranged at the cardinal directions. Above, a square harmika supports a tall shaft surmounted by a lotus finial. The lion-supported base finds an earlier parallel in a 16th-century Nepalese Saivite yantra sold at Christie's, New York, 30 March 2006, lot 169. Such elaborately designed lion-thrones are well known in Nepal. For instance, a monumental bronze statue of King Bhupatindra Malla sitting upon such a lion-throne can be seen in front of the Royal Palace in Bhaktapur (MacDonald & Vergati Stahl, Newar Art, 1979, 16 (image)). For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com For further information about this lot please visit the lot listing