A copper-alloy stupa Tibet, 13th century | 西藏 十三世紀 銅合金佛塔
Property from an important European private collection
A copper-alloy stupa
Tibet, 13th century
H. 17 cm, 6 3/4 in.
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Collection particulière européenne
Stupa en alliage de cuivre, Tibet, XIIIe siècle
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歐洲私人收藏
西藏 十三世紀 銅合金佛塔
Sealed. Minor nicks, bruises and dents to the extremities. Two small casting flaws with associated loss of stones. Light expected surface wear.
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有封底。邊角處有微磕、輕微撞痕及凹痕。有兩處鑄造微瑕，連帶嵌寶缺損。器面有輕微磨痕，屬正常。
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. NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.
The tiered upper section with closed lotus finial on this stupa is 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 circa 1230.
A similar example was sold in these rooms, 11th December 2018, lot 47. Compare also three stupas sold in our Hong Kong rooms, 30th June 2020, lot 6022, 6045 and 6062, from the collection of Cheng Huan.