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Miniature Stupas

7th–8th century
Not on view
Returned to lender
This work of art was on loan to the museum and has since been returned to its lender.
About 2010 four miniature silver stupas were discovered accidentally during construction work at an ancient Pyu urban settlement southwest of Mandalay. While the stupas are assumed to have served as relic containers, likely for copies of sutras (sacred texts), they differ significantly from those recovered from the Khin Ba relic chamber at Sri Ksetra (cat. no. 31a, b). They closely resemble the surviving monumental Pyu stupas at Sri Ksetra and also remind us of what is now missing—a prominent terrace railing (harmika) with crenellations at the summit, surmounted by honorific umbrellas.


cat. no. 35a, b

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Miniature Stupas
  • Date: 7th–8th century
  • Culture: Central Myanmar
  • Medium: Silver
  • Dimensions: H. 6 1/8 in. (15.6 cm); Diam. of base: 3 1/16 in. (7.7 cm)
  • Classification: Metalwork
  • Credit Line: Lent by Department of Archaeology and Museums, Yangon, Myanmar (3 and 4/2005)
  • Curatorial Department: Asian Art