Tickets
English
DonateMembership
Tickets

Armlet for an Image with Crossed Vajras

17th–19th century
Not on view
The crossed vajras at the center of this arm ornament indicate the cardinal directions, and a diamond marks the axis of the universe—a place of ultimate stability where the Buddha reached enlightenment. The gems, semiprecious stones, and coral convey ideas of purity and form a mosaic that evokes the heavens. On either side of the armlet in reddish coral are kirtimukhas, fierce faces that symbolize the relentless passage of time.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Armlet for an Image with Crossed Vajras
  • Date: 17th–19th century
  • Culture: Nepal
  • Medium: Mercury, gilt silver, diamonds, rubies, emeralds, sapphires, pearls, lapis lazuli, coral, shell, mother of pearl, amber, and turquoise
  • Dimensions: 2 5/8 x 7 1/4 in. (6.7 x 18.4 cm)
  • Classification: Jewelry
  • Credit Line: John Stewart Kennedy Fund, 1915
  • Object Number: 15.95.175
  • Curatorial Department: Asian Art

More Artwork

More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Vajracarya Priest's Crown, Copper, gold, Nepalese
Vajracarya Priest's Crown
Nepalese
19th century
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
Vajracarya Priest's Crown, Copper, gold, turquoise, semi-precious stones, silver foil, Nepalese
Vajracarya Priest's Crown
Nepalese
ca. 15th–16th 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
Knife (Kukri) with Sheath, Wood, Nepalese
Knife (Kukri) with Sheath
Nepalese
18th–19th century

Related Content

Publications

Books, guides, and catalogues published by The Met.

Research Resources

The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.

To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.

Feedback

We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please contact us using the form below. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.

Send feedback

Content Notice

The Metropolitan Museum of Art presents over 5,000 years of art from around the world, and our online collection reflects ongoing work conducted over the course of our more than 150-year history. You may encounter objects or images that may be inappropriate for some viewers or information that may be outdated.