1139 - Bronze votive stupa with a reliquary chamber and depictions of Shakyamuni Buddha, flanked by two worshippers. Pagan Kingdom (Myanmar), 12th–13th centuries.

Bronze votive stupa with a reliquary chamber and depictions of Shakyamuni Buddha, flanked by two worshippers. Pagan Kingdom (Myanmar), 12th–13th centuries. A square, stepped base, topped by a platform with a square column in the center, in front of which are four niches with a flaming wreath, each housing a figure of Shakyamuni Buddha in the Bhumisparsha-Mudra (touching and invoking the earth as a witness to enlightenment); preserved in two opposite niches, missing from the other two. The Buddha figures were carved separately and secured to a hole in the center of the lower part of the central column via a square pin on the back; all were produced using the same mold. On either side of the niches, to the left and right, is a kneeling worshipper, depicted significantly smaller than the Buddha figure, with the palms pressed together in front of the chest in the Anjali-mudra (Namaskara-mudra), a gesture signifying reverence. Above the niches is a canopy with four corner acroteria. Above that is the dome (symbolizing Mount Meru, the World Mountain), which has been reshaped into a stepped cone and is hollowed out to serve as a reliquary. The other “architectural” components of the votive stupa are cast separately and can be inserted from above into the opening of this conical dome using a cylinder located beneath the base. The attached upper section features a balcony-like, rectangular platform (harmika) at the bottom, bounded on the outside by pillars; this is the abode of the 33 gods in Hindu tradition (or kotis, symbolizing 33 different types of deities), above which is a cone consisting of thirteen umbrellas stacked one atop the other, representing the various heavens, or the 10 perfections and three mindful states of mind, the latter all arranged around a central, conceptual world axis in the middle, which pierces the World Mountain at the bottom. Topped by a crown: at the bottom, a brim with three outer tiers, covered on the inside with lotus leaves arranged in a ring; above which is an egg-shaped jewel enclosed by two superimposed rows of lotus leaves, the facets of which are visible at the tip; a symbol of the goal of salvation for the mind that is completely liberated from all earthly concerns. The lower section is hollow, with remnants of the clay casting core on the inside of the wall. The surface is covered with a beautiful, smooth, dark-green patina with minimal spots and incrustations. Height 26 cm, width 11.5 cm x 11.5 cm. Apart from the two missing depictions of the historical Buddha Shakyamuni, this is an impressive, exceptionally well-preserved, and rare testament to Buddhist piety from the Middle Ages in the Indian subcontinent. The two missing depictions of the Buddha do not detract from the overall impression in any way and could be restored by a skilled conservator without damaging the existing material. CULTURAL HERITAGE! Provenance: Private collection in northern Germany, acquired from Gerhard Hirsch Nachfolger Condition: II +