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Forehead Ornament for a Deity

17th–19th century
Not on view
A pronged lightning bolt (vajra), which stands for the Buddha Vairochana, marks the cosmic axis at this ornament’s center. The vajra also references the diamond throne (vajrasana) under the Bodhi tree, where the historical Buddha Shakyamuni reached enlightenment. Flanking the vajra are the celestial Buddhas Amitabha, Amoghasiddhi, Akshobhya, and Ratnasambhava, who, together with Vairochana, comprise the Tathagatas, or five cosmic Buddhas.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Forehead Ornament for a Deity
  • Date: 17th–19th century
  • Culture: Newari, for the Nepalese or Tibetan market
  • Medium: Gold, diamonds, rubies, emeralds, sapphires, garnet, lapis lazuli, coral, shell, mother of pearl, pearl, amber, and turquoise
  • Dimensions: H. 2 3/4 in. (7 cm); W. 8 1/2 in. (21.6 cm)
  • Classification: Jewelry
  • Credit Line: John Stewart Kennedy Fund, 1915
  • Object Number: 15.95.161
  • Curatorial Department: Asian Art

More Artwork

More Artwork
Forehead Ornament for a Deity, Gilt silver, brass, diamonds, emeralds, rubies, sapphires, pearls, coral, shell, mother of pearl, amber, turquoise, and semiprecious stones, Newari, for the Nepalese or Tibetan market
Forehead Ornament for a Deity
Newari, for the Nepalese or Tibetan market
17th–19th century
Armlet for an Image with Crossed Vajras, Mercury, gilt silver, diamonds, rubies, emeralds, sapphires, pearls, lapis lazuli, coral, shell, mother of pearl, amber, and turquoise, Nepal
Armlet for an Image with Crossed Vajras
Nepal
17th–19th century
Crown Ornament for a Deity, Gilt silver, emeralds, sapphires, rubies, garnets, pearls, lapis lazuli, coral, shell, mother of pearl, amber, and turquoise, Newari for Tibetan Market
Crown Ornament for a Deity
Newari for Tibetan Market
17th–19th century
Crown Ornament for a Deity, Gilt silver, emeralds, sapphires, rubies, garnets, pearls, lapis lazuli, coral, shell, mother of pearl, amber, and turquoise, Newari for Tibetan Market
Crown Ornament for a Deity
Newari for Tibetan Market
17th–19th century
The Birth of the Buddha , Mosaic set in a gilt-silver framework with diamonds, rubies, emeralds, sapphires, garnets, quartz, pearls, amber, coral, lapis lazuli, turquoise, and semiprecious stones, Nepal

The Birth of the Buddha

Nepal
18th–19th century

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