Vajracarya Priest's Crown

Unknown

ca. 15th–16th century · Copper, gold, turquoise, semi-precious stones, silver foil · Arms and Armor

This crown's lavish use of mercury gilding conveys the appearance of a golden object, enhanced with generous settings of turquoise and rock crystal. It is surprising that all the appliqué elements, including the crowned Buddhas, were modeled from repoussé sheet metal, rather than having been cast. This is a tour de force of Newar metalworking.

Artist

Unknown

Date

ca. 15th–16th century

Medium

Copper, gold, turquoise, semi-precious stones, silver foil

Culture

Nepalese

Department

Arms and Armor

Credit line

Rogers Fund, 1948