16TH-17TH C. GORINTO

The gorinto (five ring pagoda) is the Japanese version of a stupa.  It has specific symbolic meaning - each gorinto contains five representative shapes.  The square is Earth, the sphere Water, the triangle Fire, the crescent Air, and the last shape the Void, Energy, or Ether.  It serves as a votive offering to a temple, or in a garden.  The larger ones are made from five pieces and serve as grave markers for the rest of the deposed.  This one is sandstone.  It stands 19" high, and dates to the late Muromachi or early Edo period.  It shows significant wear from the elements and some lichen accumulation.  All of these Japanese stones look lovely either inside or outside.  My own preference for this would be outside.  $500