Crowns of the Vajra Masters: Ritual Art of Nepal

Ritual Ewer
Nepal, Bhaktapur, Dated by inscription to 1733
Copper alloy
H. 9 7/16 in. (24 cm); W. to spout 8 7/16 in. (21.5 cm); Diam. of collar 5 1/8 in. (13 cm)

Zimmerman Family Collection, Promised Gift of the Zimmerman Family

This spouted ewer with a bulbous body is a typical form for metal vessels employed in temple worship. Such vessels could also be employed in the lustration (abhisheka) ceremony of newly ordained Vajracharyas. An inscription records that it was gifted by Ranajit Malla, the king of Bhaktapur (r. 1722–89), and is dated to 1733. Ranajit was the grandson of King Jitamitra Malla of Bhaktapur, who, along with his younger brother Ugra Malla, donated the other temple ewer displayed in this case to the royal shrine.

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