ROCK CRYSTAL RELIQUARY IN THE FORM OF A STUPA
1st - 2nd Century AD
Code: 0993 - Price: POA

A rare crystal reliquary in the form of a Stupa in three parts, consisting of a round hollow drum base (ghantãkãra) with moldings to form a plinth around the bottom and a cornice on the upper edge, both receding into a plain central band. Fitting into the circular cavity of the base by means of a flange is the lid of the reliquary a hemispherical dome (anda) with moldings’ around the bottom and middle receding into a plain register echoing those on the base, at the top do the dome is a circular recess that accommodates the central shaft (yasti) supporting a series of five parasols (chattra) of diminishing size. A Stupa (Sanskrit Thupa or Thapa: ‘mound’) is the principal type of Buddhist shrine, the most characteristic emblem of Buddhism, and was originally a funeral mound, constructed to house relics of the Buddha or of one of his noble acolytes. By the Kushan era they had evolved into places of pilgrimage consisting of a large hemispherical dome, often on a square base and decorated with statues and reliefs depicting the life of the Buddha. Pilgrims would often construct small votive stupas around the main Stupa as a mark of homage and to commemorate their visit.
Compare to:
A similar example: Sotheby’s, The Art of the Buddha New York 21 Sept. 2007. Sale #N08345. Lot #3.
Crystal Stupas are rare. A larger Crystal and gold stupa is in the collection of the Art Gallery of NSW, Sydney.__
A schist example published, Harle, J.C. and Topsfield, A. Indian Art in the Ashmolean Museum, Oxford, 1987, p.16, fig.19 and a selection of reliquary stupas in Kurita, I. Gandharan Art II, the World of the Buddha, Japan, 1990 pp.261-273, figs.790-873

Measurements: 4" (10cm),