Qing Imperial Palace: Stupa

CHINA, Beijing; Qing dynasty

This Tibetan stupa was placed in Buddha hall of the imperial palace during the Qing dynasty. It measures 67 cm high and consists of a base, body, and spire. The base consists of three round layers, decorated with floral and scroll leaf patterns and embedded with turquoise, lapis lazuli, and ivory. The steps at the front are made of jade.
The body of the stupa consists of an inverted bowl made of lapis lazuli. There is a carving of the Heart Sutra in gold on the exterior. An ogee arch niche is lined with gilt copper, with a jade flaming jewel at the apex. Dragons curl around the sides and top of the niche, and a seated golden Buddha is enshrined within. A glass niche cover is inscribed with a text, In Praise of Amitayus Buddha. There are four gilt mythical creature heads around the shoulder of the bowl.
The spire consists of 13 stacked rings carved with lotus petal patterns. The golden canopy is decorated with Sanskrit seed syllables carved in lapis lazuli. Decorations made of pearl and turquoise hang down from the canopy, and there are four chains connecting the canopy to the creatures’ heads on the shoulder. The finial is composed of a lotus, crescent moon, and sun made from rubies, tourmaline, turquoise, and a pearl.