A GILT BRONZE STUPA WITH USHNISHAVIJAYA

TIBET, 16TH CENTURY

Details

A GILT BRONZE STUPA WITH USHNISHAVIJAYA
TIBET, 16TH CENTURY
The solidly cast dome on a stepped lotus base, an open arch with a dharmapala in each cardinal direction, surmounted by a pedestal with Ushnishavijaya and flanked by bodhisattvas, adorned with beaded garlands
6 5/8 in. (17 cm.) high

Provenance

The Sporer Collection, New Jersey, acquired by 4 March 1973

Literature

Himalayan Art Resource (himalayanart.org), item no. 24049

Lot Essay

In Buddhist philosophy, life, death, and subsequent rebirth exist along a continuum, thus it follows that the stupa, or reliquary mound, is depicted here with Ushnishavijaya, a goddess associated with long life. For related examples, see G. Mullin, Female Buddhas, 2003, pp.109-110.

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