Stupa

mid-15th century

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 253

The stupa (Tibetan: chorten) is the most ancient form of Buddhist art, symbolizing the monumental funerary mounds of ancient India that were appropriated into Buddhism as depositories for Buddha relics. Over time they assumed many forms, including scaled-down versions in metal, which serve the same function of housing holy relics, but whose higher purpose in a Buddhist monastery is to evoke the presence of the Buddha and his teachings.

Artwork Details

Overview

Provenance

Exhibition History

Title: Stupa
Date: mid-15th century
Culture: Tibet
Medium: Brass
Dimensions: H. 20 in. (50.8 cm); W. 7 1/4 in. (18.4 cm); Diam. 6 7/8 in. (17.5 cm)
Classification: Sculpture
Credit Line: Zimmerman Family Collection, Gift of the Zimmerman Family, 2016
Object Number: 2016.21.2
Curatorial Department: Asian Art

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