Large Nepalese Gilt Bronze Stupa, 16th/17th Century, Nepal

The magnificent stupa of traditional form, featuring a stylized lotus base supporting a large dome. A square structure, called a harmika, sits upon the dome. Each side of the harmika featuring engraved Buddha Eyes, also called Wisdom Eyes. Torana rise above each of the four sides.

A tall spire, known as a yasti, rises from the squareharmika. Attached to the yasti are a set of thirteen graduated discs, known as chatras, giving the spire a tapered form. The chatras represent Bhumi, or the foundations that support the path to enlightenment.

The spire is topped by another stylized lotus platform with a rising square pillar topped by a dome of rock crystal. The rock crystal dome is protected by a large parasol with large streaming banners to the sides, and delicate bodhi leaf shaped pendants suspended from the edges.

Above the parasol, topping the stupa, is a gajur, or finial, of stylized lotus blossom and lotus bud form.

The stupa seems to be somewhat based on the famed Swayambhunath Stupa in Nepal, most notably the structure of the spire, with the thirteen tiers surmounted by the parasol, as well as the gajur. While the torana are of slightly different shape and contain images of vajra and flowers instead of Buddhas.

Stupa are important structures and monuments in the Buddhist world. Originally large scale structures to commemorate holy sites or house sacred relics, the earliest stupa were based off early Indian burial mounds.