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Vajracharya Priest's Crown

Vajracharya Priest's Crown. Culture: Nepal. Dimensions: H. 12 in. (30.5 cm); W. 7 1/2 in. (19.1 cm); D. 6 3/4 in. (17.1 cm). Date: dated 1717. Elaborate crowns such as this example were worn by the hereditary Vajracarya Buddhist priests of Nepal, who occupy the highest rank in the Nepalese Buddhist community. Vajracarya is both a caste and a family name, and the designation entitles it holders to perform reserved priestly functions, analogous to the privileges held by Brahmans in Hinduism. This crown is dominated by five diadem plaques and surmounted by a half-vajra. The dated inscription records that it was commissioned by two named devotees, to be worn on the occasion of the consecration of newly installed icons of Chakrasamvara and Heruka. The consecrations were performed by sri Bekhasi deva Vajracarya of Naka Bahica of OBaha, "on Thursday, the 10th of the dark half of Bhadra, during the Pusya naksatra and the Siddha yoga" (1717). The inscription concludes by listing the punishments incurred by those who covet the crown as well as the merits earned by its donors, extolling: "[May it be] auspicious for all time.".
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Title:
Vajracharya Priest's Crown
Caption:
Vajracharya Priest's Crown. Culture: Nepal. Dimensions: H. 12 in. (30.5 cm); W. 7 1/2 in. (19.1 cm); D. 6 3/4 in. (17.1 cm). Date: dated 1717. Elaborate crowns such as this example were worn by the hereditary Vajracarya Buddhist priests of Nepal, who occupy the highest rank in the Nepalese Buddhist community. Vajracarya is both a caste and a family name, and the designation entitles it holders to perform reserved priestly functions, analogous to the privileges held by Brahmans in Hinduism. This crown is dominated by five diadem plaques and surmounted by a half-vajra. The dated inscription records that it was commissioned by two named devotees, to be worn on the occasion of the consecration of newly installed icons of Chakrasamvara and Heruka. The consecrations were performed by sri Bekhasi deva Vajracarya of Naka Bahica of OBaha, "on Thursday, the 10th of the dark half of Bhadra, during the Pusya naksatra and the Siddha yoga" (1717). The inscription concludes by listing the punishments incurred by those who covet the crown as well as the merits earned by its donors, extolling: "[May it be] auspicious for all time.".
Technique/material:
Gilt copper alloy inlaid with semiprecious stones
Museum:
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA
Credit:
Album / Metropolitan Museum of Art, NY
Releases:
Model: No - Property: No
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Image size:
3148 x 4200 px | 37.8 MB
Print size:
26.7 x 35.6 cm | 10.5 x 14.0 in (300 dpi)
Keywords:
ASIA • ASIAN ART • COPPER • COPPERWORK • CROWNS • GEMSTONE • GILT COPPER ALLOY INLAID WITH SEMIPRECIOUS STONES • GILT • METAL • METALWORK • METALWORKS • METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ART, NEW YORK, USA • NEPAL • ROCK • ROCKY • SEMI-PRECIOUS STONE • SEMIPRECIOUS STONE • STONE • STONES