STUPA COMMÉMORATIF AVEC QUATRE HIÉRARQUES SAKYA EN LAITON

TIBET CENTRAL, XVE SIÈCLE

Footnotes

A BRASS COMMEMORATIVE STUPA WITH FOUR SAKYA HIERARCHS 
CENTRAL TIBET, 15TH CENTURY

藏中 十五世紀 銅四薩迦祖師佛塔 

Derived from ancient Indic burial mounds erected for important leaders, and often housing reputed relics of the Buddha, stupas are central to Buddhist worship and pilgrimage. Bronze models of stupas are also objects of worship, with grander examples, such as the present work, frequently containing physical relics of important monastic leaders, whose consecrated remains continue to bless their surroundings.

This commanding stupa follows an overall design typical of Tibetan chortens of the 15th century, while incorporating rare and remarkable details making it a unique work. Unlike a popular earlier stupa form (Kadampa stupa), which features a large bell-shaped drum, here the dome is pot-shaped and smaller in size relative to the pedestal. The recessed middle section of the pedestal is decorated with two mythical animals on each of the four sides, with each animal encircled within a quatrefoil medallion separated by scrolling foliage pillars. The square stepped base rises to a round lotus platform supporting four sculptural lama portraits, accommodated within a separately cast dome. While it is common to see a single image of a deity or teacher in high relief within a niche on a stupa dome, the current design, housing four standalone images within a chapel, is extremely rare. Each faces one of the four cardinal directions. The exterior of the dome is exquisitely decorated with drapery and beaded chains, surmounted by a harmika and thirteen tapered discs, representing the thirteen stages in the pursuit of Buddhahood. The crowning element is an elaborate openwork parasol decorated with a ring of flaming jewels, below a humble finial in the shape of an auspicious water pot.

The treatment of the four figures within the dome is consistent with a group of 15th-16th century portrait bronzes cast in the Tsang style of Central Tibet, mostly depicting accomplished lamas of the Sakya school (for examples of this group, see Bonhams, New York, 14 March 2017, lots 3256 & 3270; and 19 March 2018, lot 3031). Most sculptures from this group were created using a brassy alloy which was not gilt, and embellished with incised floral and cloud patterns on the surface. Similar to the four figures within the present stupa, teachers from this group often wear an inner monastic robe over a sleeveless shirt, with a meditation cloak draped over their often stout silhouettes. Moreover, the plump and squarish petals of the lotus pedestals underneath each lama are closely related to a Sakya lineage set sold at Bonhams, New York, 14 March 2017, lot 3262. Derived from an early-Ming Chinese style, petals of the larger, single lotus platform supporting the lamas are also typical of the period (cf. Bonhams, New York, 14 March 2017, lot 3273).

The present work compares favorably to a smaller, 15th-century stupa, with similar openwork parasol, pot-shaped dome, and a tall stepped pedestal, preserved at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (M.82.200.3, fig.1). Also see a related stupa of similar size and overall style, but without a chapel, sold at Christie's, New York, 18 September 2002, lot 122.

Provenance:
Laszlo Bene
Sotheby's, New York, 26 March 2003, lot 51