893 - Large Chinese cloisonné stupa—copper alloy with cloisonné enamel, quartz crystal sphere, composed of four parts, a traditional Buddhist stupa with a rectangular base; in the center of the anda (=dome) is a framed niche corresponding to the front of a gaus; above it rises a tubular spira with a stylized lotus flower, crowned by the sun, the moon, and a jewel that personifies the realization of the absolute spirit of enlightenment; the entire surface features a turquoise-blue background with polychrome floral cloisonné decoration, including meandering lotus tendrils, leaf and ruyi motifs; cloisonné stupas of this type served as ritual reliquaries or altar objects in Tibetan Buddhist and Chinese court art of the Qing dynasty; total height approx. 86 cm, base dimensions 43.5 x 43.5 cm, China, 19th/20th century, signs of age and wear, enamel with isolated chips