A GILT-BRONZE STUPA

Description:

Tibeto-Chinese
H. 40,5 cm
The stupa shows a double row of petals as base continuing into three stairs to the domed-shaped relic chamber, the front set with a framed niche decorated with the central kyung bird grasping the tails of a pair of nagas, some animals at the lower register, the inside with a small figure of Akshobhya seated in vajrasana on a lotus base, his right hand lowered in bhumisparshamudra, wearing monastic garment, his face displaying a serene expression, his curled hair secured with a tiara, surmounted by a square harmika set with beads and supporting the tapering-shaped umbrella topped with a finial.
Former German private collection, assembled before 2007
Traces of age, wear, slightly chipped