Central Asia, Tibet, ca. 19th century CE. Made of thin sheets of copper, painted black and gilded, this is a small symbolic stupa (choten in Tibetan) from the Tibetan Buddhist tradition, with a three dimensional dorje - symbol of "the thunderbolt of enlightenment" - at its top and a stamped dorje form on the underside of its base. Around the eight sides of the middle level of the stupa are small relief figures of Buddhas in different poses and with different implements. Jutting out from the upper level is a ram's head. Size: 4.45" W x 4.3" H (11.3 cm x 10.9 cm)

In prehistoric times, stupas were kingly burial mounds of earth and stones. Approximately 2500 years ago, when the Buddha died, he asked for his relics to be placed into a stupa placed at a crossroads to remind people of the awakened state of mind. From that point on, the stupa became a religious place as well as a tomb. A stupa is designed to stop the viewer and remind them of the path to Enlightenment.

Provenance: Ex-Private Boulder, CO collection acquired at Indochine Gallery

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