Asian tiered tower with multiple eaves to keep inclement weather from coming inside the structure. Used in Buddhist and Taoist religious structures in Japan, China, Korea, Vietnam, Myanmar, Nepal, and India often near a monastery, they are also sometimes used as an ornamental motif atop ceramic vessels. In Burma, variants of a pagoda but looking more like the top of a Buddhist stupa is used atop a hsun ok, a lacquer vessel used by Buddhists wishing to earn merit by filling the vessel with foods and other items and donating its contenst to the monks at Buddhist monasteries.
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This 18th-century antique hand-made bronze 7-level stupa/pagoda was made in Nepal and was purchased in the 1970s in Kathmandu. This fine example has decorative details around the base and two of the round eaves have scalloped edges. It was used for personal devotion on a home altar or shrine. Antique Buddhist items are now extremely scarce in Nepal.
Finely carved figures were attached to ox cart yokes to protect farmers from malevolent spirits who inhabited all seen and unseen sectors of their environment. This beautifully carved ox cart yolk was created in the image of a chinthe, (the word for lion) a mythical creature commonly represented in Burma to decorate a multiplicity of everyday items. Considered a propitious spiritual and protective guardian figure, the chinthe symbolizes power, courage, and strength. This carving displays the common characteristics of singhas with a long face with large eyes, a long sharp nose, a long draping lion-like beard, and a flame-like shape on the top of his head. He stands on all four legs holding his beard that extends from his open roaring mouth with sharply pointed teeth that combine elegance with strong beast-like strength. He is masterfully carved with careful attention to details like the deeply incised hairs that cover his body. For functional reasons, the piece is in two parts held together with a wooden plug. Even though it was for daily use, Burmese craftsmen created beautiful objects and finished them with the best materials they could afford. This piece was originally covered with lacquer, most of which has faded with use over time. It is in good condition with losses to his left side, fading surface, and wear consistent with its age and use.
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