Votive Stupa, anonymous, c. 900 - c. 1100
limestone, h c.24cm × d c.15cm More details
A stupa is a hemispherical Buddhist structure built to commemorate the Buddha. Miniature stupas were commissioned by Buddhist pilgrims and offered to monasteries. Human ashes and bones have been found in some of these small stupas; it was considered highly auspicious to be buried in a place visited by the Buddha or where his relics were kept.
