Page 82 - Sporer Collection of Himalayan bronzes

36
A GILT BRONZE STUPA WITH USHNISHAVIJAYA
TIBET, 16TH CENTURY

The solidly cast dome on a stepped lotus base, an open arch with
a dharmapala in each cardinal direction, surmounted by a pedestal
with Ushnishavijaya and fanked by bodhisattvas, adorned with
beaded garlands
6¬ in. (17 cm.) high

$60,000-80,000

PROVENANCE:

The Sporer Collection, New Jersey, acquired by 4 March 1973

PUBLISHED:

Himalayan Art Resource (himalayanart.org), item no. 24049

In Buddhist philosophy, life, death, and subsequent rebirth exist along a
continuum, thus it follows that the stupa, or reliquary mound, is depicted
here with Ushnishavijaya, a goddess associated with long life. For related
examples, see G. Mullin, Female Buddhas, 2003, pp.109-110.

80 THE SPORER COLLECTION OF HIMALAYAN SCULPTURE