Tang to Liao Dynasty, 907-1125 AD. A substantial hollow bronze 'pagoda' stupa with three-tiered square and stepped base showing bodhi leaves, flaming jewels and foliage tendrils respectively, surmounted by a pierced frieze, each side depicting a seated Buddha flanked by standing figures and clouds; with triple pitched and hipped roof elements rising above pierced wall panels; in turn all surmounted by a column with five graduated discs affixed and terminating in a four-lobed flammiform element. See National Museum, China, for a similar example; accompanied by a two-page document describing and illustrating the piece.4.9 kg, 59cm (23 1/4"). Acquired for the ‘Buckingham Collection’ by the late Nik Douglas (1944-2012), renowned author, curator and Asian art expert; the collection formed from the early 1960s to early 1970s; displayed at the major exhibition ‘The Buddha Image: Out of Uddiyana’, Tibet House, 22 West 15th Street, New York, 16 September-20 October 2010, extended to 16 November and again to 7 January 2011; where the collection of one hundred pieces was publicly valued at US$ 15M; this piece was scheduled to be included in an exhibition titled ‘On the Silk Route; Birth of The Buddha’, to be held in London from November 2012, but sadly his death prevented this; accompanied by Nik Douglas's collection cataloguing pages; and a copy of the relevant ‘Out of Uddiyana’ exhibition catalogue pages including an image of this lot featured in one of the display cases; this lot has also been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by AIAD certificate number no. 10493-170984.