Hiranyakashipu, The Demon-King

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

Only the two small fangs that protrude from Hiranyakashipu’s mouth indicate the demonic nature of this regally crowned character. In other respects he displays full kingly regalia, with a towering conical crown, while the winged panels framing his face are decorated with mythical leonine creatures (yali) and a lotus flower summit framed by parrots. The multiple layers of pigment on a cotton ground witness the mask’s repeated ritual cleansing and repainting before each performance.

Asian Art

An exhibit at Metropolitan Museum of Art

The Met's collection of Asian art—more than 35,000 objects, ranging in date from the third millennium B.C. to the twenty-first century—is one of the largest and most comprehensive in the world. Each of the many civilizations of Asia is represented by outstanding works, providing an unrivaled experience of the artistic traditions of nearly half the world.

Metropolitan Museum of Art