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Metal and Stone Vestiges
Religion, Magic and Protection in the Art of Ancient Tibet

Image 16d

Three more thokchas depicting stupas of various types. The specimen on the left with its triple gem finial enveloped by a scrolled banner appears to date to the early Buddhist period. The middle specimen is that of a buckle used to bind stacks of scriptures. The eight stupas decorating it are attributable to the Buddhists. This object may have also been produced in the early Buddhist period. The thokcha on the right seems to portray a rudimentary type of stupa dominated by a graduated base and small upper section. If the bullet-shaped protuberances above the stupa are, in fact, the two highly worn ends of a vajra, it would demonstrate that this style of stupa was also used by the Buddhists.

all text & images © John Vincent Bellezza


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