China antique monumental Pagoda Shrine with carved Lohans, 115″ high, red sandstone, eight sections, Qing dynasty (1644-1911)

This stone pagoda is a monumental work of art seldom seen in the west. Pagodas evolved from Indian stupas which were originally designed to hold the Buddha’s relics and textual paper sutras. This tiered tower composition became popular all over Asia and its architectural form differed from region to region. In China, its origins date to Buddhist missionaries who traveled the Silk Road. Early examples were built in temples but by the 13th century they were found outside the temple complex. Oldest examples had simple round or square bases and then later octagonal or more stylistic forms like the “censer” type of base on this pagoda. The 18 arhats (lohans) portray Buddha’s messengers and each tier is unique.

This tour de force could serve as the centerpiece in the finest private or public Chinese or Asian inspired garden or Buddhist art collection. Photographs taken in natural light.

Provenance: Private New England Collection acquired in 2005 in China from private collection Cheng Du, Sichuan Province.

About Pagodas:
Chinese pagoda towers were structurally variously square, circular, octagonal, and hexagonal based forms. They usually display Buddhist symbology and were built for a variety of reasons including relic storage or commemoration purposes honoring Buddha or perhaps stately visitation. The highest Chinese pagoda from the pre-modern age is the Liao di pagoda of Kaiyuan Monastery, Dingxian, Hebei province, completed in the year 1055 AD under Emperor Renzong of Song and standing a total height of 84 meters, 275 feet. The pagoda was built of brick and stone and has the Classic gradual tiered eaves marking each storey, and has a section of its walls partially open at one side, which allows one to view the interior of the pagoda, the inner column shaped as another pagoda inside, and the thickness of the pagoda’s walls.

Lifetime guarantee of authenticity: All of our Asian works of art come with our lifetime authenticity guarantee.

Our gallery based in Newport, Rhode Island USA has been dealing in authentic Pre-Columbian, Japanese and fine Asian art, garden ornaments, lanterns and water basins for 25 years. Our president personally travels across America as well as Japan and Europe each year to meet his network partners who assist him in finding best examples. He personally inspects each antique work of art to ensure its old age, authenticity and quality condition.