H:57 L:24CM Cast in copper, the square-shape lower tier comprising twelve Bhodisattvas seated in dhyanasana, their hands in bhumisparsha and dhyana mudra, the waisted and stepped lower section depicting four Buddha seated in dhyanasana, and each scene divided by a dharmapalas at each corner, another four Buddhas arranged in the center of stepped lower section seated in dhyanasana in a columnar niche with pointed arch and makara capitals sprouting foliage, surmounted by two full laminated Ruyi cloud lotus pedals carved Bhodisattvas in relief against a domed stupa in the center. Overal body is casted with sophistication, excellent texture and clear outline, vividly expression on every Buddha's face, the carving detail is used as bas-relief headlight and backlight, each side of centered stupa has a circular opening revealing figures of sakyamuni and samantabhadra, the pointed finial on a ground of incised foliage with wavering garlands, with borders ornamented with finely inscribed characters. Its design similar to the Ashoka VI's rectangular stupa, but different in its implications. Similar work can also be found in the Buddhist Holy place Nanshan Temple, Baoan in the Kangxi reign of the Qing Dynasty. Usually, these pagodas are made of various materials such as copper, iron, tin, wood, etc., and are used to worship relics. Some of these stupas contain Buddhist scriptures, thus called the Baoqie Jingta. Reference to Bronze Stupa Depicting Asoka lot #250 sold at Bonhams London November 7th, 2013 41250 POUNDS