California Asian Art Auction California Asian Art Auction
 December 10, 2022 3:00PM PDT  December 10, 2022 3:00PM PDT

 Lot # 9045 
A RARE CHINESE BRONZE BUDDHIST STUPA    宋 銅阿育王佛塔


  • Dimension: Height: 16 in (40.6 cm) Width: 7 5/8 in (19.4 cm)
  • Estimate From: $5000
  • Estimate To: $7000

Of square form, each side worked with an openwork and repousse design featuring the scene of the Buddha teaching the dharma, above a plinth with each side worked in openwork with four seated buddha, all surmounted by a separate section comprising four ear-shaped panels covered with buddhist scenes, the center a domed base with a single hole for the stupa which is formed by a series of loose graduated discs. Tang/Song Dynasty period.


可參考浙江金華市萬佛塔出土的五代銅鎏金阿育王塔, 浙江博物館藏 來源: 美國新澤西州日裔藝術家Higashi Norio先生舊藏,早年移民美國前繼承於其日本家族收藏
It is said that in the the Kingdom of Wuyue's ruler, Qian Chu, followed the example of the Indian Prince Ashoka who comissioned 84,000 stupa to enshrine the sacred relics of the cremated Buddha. A related example can be found in Zhejiang Provincial Museum, excavated from the 'Ten Thousand Buddha Pagoda' site in Jinhua, Zhejiang. Provenance: From the estate of late Mr. Norio Higashi, New Jersey. Mr. Higashi inherited most of his collection from his family based in Japan in the early years.