Crowns of the Vajra Masters: Ritual Art of Nepal

Indra's Crown
Nepal,14th–15th century
Copper alloy with traces of gilding, inlaid with glass
H. 6 7/16 in. (16.4 cm); W. 8 3/4 in. (22.2 cm)

Gift of Lynne and Robert Rubin, 1986
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1986.508

This crown was intended to adorn an image of the Brahmanical god of storms, Indra. In Nepal, such figures, typically represented seated with arms outstretched, were routinely crowned and dressed for their parading during festivals, the most important of which is the Indra Jatra, in August through September, when Indra is thanked for bringing the monsoons. 

Exhibition History
New York. The Metropolitan Museum of Art. "Art of the Himalayas," December 15, 2010–December 4, 2011.

New York. The Metropolitan Museum of Art. "Crowns of the Vajra Masters: Ritual Art of Nepal," December 16, 2017–December 16, 2018.