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Vajracharya Priest’s Crown

13th–early 14th century
Not on view
Elaborate crowns such as this were worn by Vajracharya priests, the highest rank in the Nepalese Buddhist community. The conical crown is unique to Newari Buddhism and embodies a memory of older and now lost Indian Buddhist practices. The term Vajracharya denotes both a caste and a family name, and the designation entitles its holders to perform reserved priestly functions, analogous to the privileges held by Brahmans in Hinduism. This crown is exceptional in its complexity: It is dominated by a series of diadem plaques depicting emanations of the wisdom bodhisattva Manjushri, benign and wrathful. All is surmounted by a five-pronged thunderbolt scepter, or vajra. This unique iconography points to the crown being designed for enacting rites dedicated to invoking Manjushri.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Vajracharya Priest’s Crown
  • Period: Early Malla period
  • Date: 13th–early 14th century
  • Culture: Nepal
  • Medium: Gilt copper alloy with semiprecious stones, lapis lazuli, and turquoise inlays
  • Dimensions: Overall: H. 12 in. (30.5 cm.); W. 9 in. (30.5 cm); D. 8 1/4 in. (21 cm)
    Overall with mount: H. 18 1/2 (47 cm); W. 9 in. (30.5 cm); D. 8 1/2 in. (21.6 cm)
    Base (mount foot): L. 6 in. (15.2 cm); W. 6 in. (15.2 cm); D. 6 in. (15.2 in.)
  • Classification: Sculpture
  • Credit Line: Gift of Barbara and David Kipper, 2016
  • Object Number: 2016.408
  • Curatorial Department: Asian Art

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