White wooden stupa with Buddha's eyes

A white-painted wooden stupa, crafted by Tibetan artisans in a workshop in Nepal and hand-painted. Above the tiered base, the structure features the eyes of Buddha; below, Tibetan snow lions and other traditional symbols in vibrant colors.

The stupa is the oldest architectural form in Buddhism: originally a mound containing relics, it later became a symbol of the enlightened mind. The eyes on its structure are best known from the Swayambhunath Stupa in Kathmandu—they gaze in all four cardinal directions.

The object can be opened. Traditionally, a stupa is filled in the same way as a statue—with mantra scrolls, relics, or ceremonial substances; the hollow interior is also suitable for storing small items.

Height 23 cm · Base 11.5 cm · Wood, hand-painted · Handcrafted in Nepal