AN INDIAN STONE BRAHMANDA, 'COSMIC EGG', AND MATCHING BRONZE TRIPOD STANDIndia, 19th century. The stone of ovoid form and finely polished with natural markings and grain. The stand with three rearing mythical animals forming the supports, and with a sun-shaped open ring to the top where the stone rests. (2)Provenance: Collection of Alain Presencer. Over the past 50 years, Alain Presencer has devoted his life to the study and promotion of Tibetan Buddhism and culture. His contributions to the field resulted in numerous recognitions, including his appointment as a Fellow of the Royal Asiatic Society. Alain also brought to the West his knowledge of the extraordinary and mystical religious music of the region. As a result, he produced a popular recording of his own performances, introducing this musical genre to a global audience with his album 'The Singing Bowls of Tibet', which has sold over a million copies to date.Condition: Excellent condition with old wear, the stand with few minuscule nicks and occasional light scratches.Weight: 9.7 kg (total)Dimensions: Height 46 cm (incl. stand) and 23 cm (the brahmanda)The natural markings on the egg-shaped form symbolize the male and female principles in a single unit, a realization of the wholeness of the entire universe.Literature comparison: For a related brahmanda, see A. Mookerjee, Yoga Art, 1975, pl 39, p.71.Auction result comparison: Compare with two related brahmanda, one of slightly larger and the other of considerably larger size, at Christie's New York in Indian And Southeast Asian Art Including Property From The Collections Of Ariane Dandois And Robert H. Ellsworth on 21 September 2007, lot 298, sold for USD 6,000.