242 - BURMA (Upper Burma), 18th/19th century

BURMA (Upper Burma), 18th/19th century A rare cast-iron bell stand, featuring a narrative decoration in high relief inspired by the Ramayana. At the top, a central scene depicts the abduction of Princess Sita by the demon Ravana, with the two figures depicted together and seated on a flaming base. On either side, dynamic figures represent Prince Rama vanquishing demons. The ring is framed by hybrid zoomorphic-anthropomorphic creatures, serving as guardian figures. The piece rests on a custom display base. Height: 42 cm Width: 26 cm In Burmese Buddhism, bells play an essential role in individual ritual practice: the devotee strikes them at the conclusion of their devotions to signal their merit to the guardian spirits (nats) and the various spheres of the cosmos, thereby participating in the economy of merit (punna). Cast-iron bell stands, such as this ring, combine structural function with an elaborate iconographic program. Their decoration, often inspired by the Ramayana, confers a protective dimension on the object by illustrating the victory of benevolent forces over demonic powers. Provenance: private collection assembled in the 1990s. Sale of May 15, 1994, at the Auxerre Auction House, lot number 155