Vajracarya Priest's Crown

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

This handsome crown features a pronounced towering summit, which echoes one seen in the Ajanta mural painting (a reproduction of which is also displayed in Crowns of the Vajra Masters: Ritual Art of Nepal). The openwork medallions are particularly refined and display the skill of Newar artists in working sheet copper. The lotus bloom and stem openwork panels are also exceptional for their quality of execution and point to an early date in the chronology of these crown types. They can be understood as directly descending stylistically from the earliest known example, dated by inscription to 1145.

Arms and Armor

An exhibit at Metropolitan Museum of Art

The principal goals of the Arms and Armor Department are to collect, preserve, research, publish, and exhibit distinguished examples representing the art of the armorer, swordsmith, and gunmaker. Arms and armor have been a vital part of virtually all cultures for thousands of years, pivotal not only in conquest and defense, but also in court pageantry and ceremonial events. Throughout time the best armor and weapons have represented the highest artistic and technical capabilities of the society and period in which they were made, forming a unique aspect of both art history and material culture.

Metropolitan Museum of Art