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Vajracarya Priest's Crown

ca. 15th–16th century

Not on view

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.

Vajracarya Priest's Crown, Copper, gold, turquoise, semi-precious stones, silver foil, Nepalese — Due to rights restrictions, this image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Vajracarya Priest's Crown, Copper, gold, turquoise, semi-precious stones, silver foil, Nepalese

Vajracarya Priest's Crown, Copper, gold, turquoise, semi-precious stones, silver foil, Nepalese

Vajracarya Priest's Crown, Copper, gold, turquoise, semi-precious stones, silver foil, Nepalese

Vajracarya Priest's Crown, Copper, gold, turquoise, semi-precious stones, silver foil, Nepalese

Vajracarya Priest's Crown, Copper, gold, turquoise, semi-precious stones, silver foil, Nepalese

Vajracarya Priest's Crown, Copper, gold, turquoise, semi-precious stones, silver foil, Nepalese

Vajracarya Priest's Crown, Copper, gold, turquoise, semi-precious stones, silver foil, Nepalese

Vajracarya Priest's Crown, Copper, gold, turquoise, semi-precious stones, silver foil, Nepalese

Vajracarya Priest's Crown, Copper, gold, turquoise, semi-precious stones, silver foil, Nepalese

Vajracarya Priest's Crown, Copper, gold, turquoise, semi-precious stones, silver foil, Nepalese

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Due to rights restrictions, this image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Due to rights restrictions, this image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Due to rights restrictions, this image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Due to rights restrictions, this image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Due to rights restrictions, this image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Front

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Proper left

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Back

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Proper right

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Three-quarter

Title: Vajracarya Priest's Crown

Date: ca. 15th–16th century

Culture: Nepalese

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

Dimensions: H. 13 1/2 in. (34.3 cm); W. 8 9/16 in. (21.7 cm); D. 9 1/16 in. (23 cm); Wt. 5 lb. 0.7 oz. (2287.8 g)

Classification: Helmets

Credit Line: Rogers Fund, 1948

Accession Number: 48.128

Chronology

South Asia and the Himalayan Region, 1800-1900 A.D.

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