A BRONZE STUPA (CHORTEN), TIBET, 13TH-14TH CENTURY

The bell-shaped base with a splayed foot of two facing bands of lotus petals, the cylindrical body with two pointed ridges around the waist, a tiered neck of conical form treated with a series of horizontal channels above an interlocking balconied projection, the finial in the form of a stylised closed lotus flower above a slightly domical flange with a frieze of further lotus petals, chased and punched details, the copper base resoldered

In generally good overall condition, copper base resolded, some rubbing and patination associated with age, a few knocks and abrasions to foot ring, as viewed.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

The tiered upper section with closed lotus finial are associated with the Kadampa sect which revived Tibetan Buddhism after the 11th century. A bronze stupa, closely related to the present example, is in the British Museum, London (Zwalf 1985, p.139, no.198). Zwalf discusses a further stupa from this group, now in the Newark Museum. Its contents were examined and found to include barley grains, dated by radiocarbon analysis to a mean of 1230.