Jingdezhen: Stupa

CHINA, Jiangxi, Jingdezhen; Qing dynasty

This Tibetan-style stupa was commissioned by the Qing imperial court. Several stupas such as this were made in Jingdezhen during the rule of Emperor Qianlong (reigned 1736–1795). They were either used at the imperial court or presented to Mongolian and Tibetan monasteries.
The porcelain stupa has a square Sumeru base with a lotus petal pattern border and floral designs in between. The body of the stupa is in the form of an inverted bowl with a floral pattern, strings of beads, and animal mask designs against a light blue background. The upper and lower borders are decorated with a ring of upright lotus petals. The spire consists of 13 colorfully decorated stacked rings, an orange canopy, and a finial in the shape of a flaming blue vase with a red jewel at the top.
There is a niche in the body of the stupa containing a gilt bronze figurine of Tara, which measures 6.5 cm high and is a 16th century Tibetan work of art. Tara wears a jeweled crown with ribbons falling down to the shoulders. The lower part of the slender body is covered in a dhoti. The figure sits in royal ease position on a lotus throne while holding a lotus flower in the left hand, and forming the varada (wish-granting) mudra with the right.