STUPA EN LAITON

TIBET, VERS XIVE SIÈCLE

Footnotes

A BRASS STUPA
TIBET, CIRCA 14TH CENTURY

西藏 約十四世紀 銅嵌寶佛塔 

A symbol considered to be both sacred and precious, the stupa represents the body, speech, and mind of the Buddha. Starting from the base, each section represents the upward transformation of each of the five elements: earth, water, fire, wind, and space, rising into a realm of enlightenment. The earth is represented by the lotus petals with the bell-shaped body which rises to a platform signifying water. The spire represents fire and consists of thirteen tapering rings which sits above a turquoise-inset parasol, implying wind. At the apex sits a lotus bud finial, adorned with decorative sashes, representing space.

This type of stupa in Tibet is known as a kadam chorten and is an interpretation of the eastern Indian model that was brought to Tibet in the 11th century by the great teacher Atisha (982-1054). For other examples of this stupa type, see one sold at Christie's, New York, 19 September 2000, lot 117.

Published:
Deborah Ashencaen and Gennady Leonov, Body, Speech and Mind: Buddhist Art from Tibet, Mongolia and China, Spink & Son Ltd, London, 1998, p. 69, no. 36.
Ramon Prats, et.al., Monasterios y lamas del Tibet, Madrid, Fundación "La Caixa", 2000, p. 132, no. 70.

Exhibited:
Monasterios y lamas del Tibet, Fundación "La Caixa", Madrid, November 2000-January 2001.

Provenance:
Spink & Sons Ltd., London, 1998