{"meta":{"version":"2.1","_links":{"self":{"href":"https://api.vam.ac.uk/v2/object/O24819"},"collection_page":{"href":"https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O24819/"}},"images":{"_primary_thumbnail":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2006AU5665/full/!100,100/0/default.jpg","_iiif_image":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2006AU5665/","_alt_iiif_image":[],"imageResolution":"high","_images_meta":[{"assetRef":"2006AU5665","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2017JT9043","copyright":"©Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false}]},"see_also":{"_iiif_pres":"https://iiif.vam.ac.uk/collections/O24819/manifest.json","_alt_iiif_pres":[]}},"record":{"systemNumber":"O24819","accessionNumber":"IS.5-1946","objectType":"Ritual crown","titles":[],"summaryDescription":"Elaborate crowns of this type are worn by Vajracaryas, Buddhist priests when officiating at religious ceremonies in Nepal. Vajracarya, \"master of the thunderbolt\", is both a caste and family name indicating those entitled to perform priestly functions. They command the highest rank in the Buddhist community, the equivalent of Brahmins in the Hindu context. They typically use both a vajra (thunderbolt sceptre) and ghanta (ritual bell) in these rituals. A painted Nepalese manuscript cover dated 1532 depicts such a crowned Vajracarya engaged in ritual on behalf of a donor and his family at a temple stupa; he is depicted holding both vajra and ghanta and seated before a fire altar and assorted ritual utensils, including an offering dish, mirror and miniature chaityas (stupas). The ritual crown depicted bears close comparison to the V&A example, with its forehead diadem and elaborate superstructure, and the ear-like pendants. \r\n\r\nThis crown has individually cast medallions depicting Bodhisattvas positioned around the dome, with Vairocana in the centre; each is framed within an elaborate foliate medallion. The crown is surmounted by a five-pronged half-vajra. A dated inscription (Nepal Samvat 797) invokes Vajrasattva, the supreme deity of the vajra sect. A number of these crowns have survived, but this example is the finest and most complete.","physicalDescription":"Ritual crown of gilt copper, set with imitation stones in rock crystal and glass, with applied ornaments including cast and gilt Buddhist figures framed by elaborate scrolling patterns.","artistMakerPerson":[{"name":{"text":"Unknown","id":"A1848"},"association":{"text":"","id":""},"note":""}],"artistMakerOrganisations":[],"artistMakerPeople":[],"materials":[{"text":"copper","id":"AAT11020"},{"text":"rock crystal","id":"AAT11152"},{"text":"glass","id":"AAT10797"}],"techniques":[{"text":"casting","id":"AAT53104"},{"text":"gilding","id":"AAT53789"}],"materialsAndTechniques":"Copper, gilt and cast; set with imitation stones of rock crystal and glass","categories":[{"text":"Buddhism","id":"THES48984"},{"text":"Religion","id":"THES48900"},{"text":"Metalwork","id":"THES48920"},{"text":"Ceremonial objects","id":"THES48981"}],"styles":[],"collectionCode":{"text":"SSEA","id":"THES48598"},"images":["2006AU5665","2017JT9043"],"imageResolution":"high","galleryLocations":[{"current":{"text":"47A (VA)","id":"THES49797"},"free":"","case":"10","shelf":"","box":""}],"partTypes":[[{"text":"Head dress","id":""}]],"contentWarnings":[{"apprise":"","note":""}],"placesOfOrigin":[{"place":{"text":"Nepal","id":"x30053"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":""}],"productionDates":[{"date":{"text":"1677","earliest":"1677-01-01","latest":"1677-12-31"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":""}],"associatedObjects":[],"creditLine":"Given by Lt. Col. E.W.A. Armstrong.","dimensions":[{"dimension":"Height","value":"45.7","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":""},{"dimension":"Width","value":"24","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":""},{"dimension":"Depth","value":"25","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":""}],"dimensionsNote":"","marksAndInscriptions":[],"objectHistory":"","historicalContext":"Elaborate crowns of this type are worn by Vajracaryas, Buddhist priests, when officiating at religious ceremonies. Vajracarya, \"master of the thunderbolt\", is both a caste and family name indicating those entitled to perform priestly functions. They command the highest rank in the Buddhist community, the equivalent of Brahmans in the Hindu context. They typically use both a vajra (thunderbolt sceptre) and ghanta (ritual bell) in these rituals. This crown has individually cast medallions depicting bodhisattvas on the dome and Vairocana in the centre. The crown is surmounted by a half-vajra. A dated inscription (Nepal Samvat 797) invokes Vajrasattva, the supreme deity of the vajra sect.","briefDescription":"Ritual crown, gilt copper set with stones, Nepal, dated to 1677","bibliographicReferences":[{"reference":{"text":"","id":""},"details":"","free":"\nG. Beguin, \" A propos d'une tiare d'officiant bouddhique\", La Revue du Louvre, June 1984, No.3, p178, pl. 4-5\nW. Zwalf, Buddhism: Art and Faith, British Museum, 1985, p.126.\r\nGuy, John: 'Indian Temple Sculpture', London V & A Publication, p.59. pl.59.\r\nISBN 971851775095\r\n"},{"reference":{"text":"Tibetan art / John Lowry. London: H. M. Stationery Office, 1973","id":"AUTH344050"},"details":"p. 89, cat. no. 39","free":""},{"reference":{"text":"L'escultura en el temples indis : l'art de la devoció : exposició organitzada per la Fundació \"La Caixa\" i el Victoria & Albert Museum, Londres. [Barcelona: Obra social, Fundació \"la Caixa\", c2007 Number: 9788476649466","id":"AUTH339669"},"details":"p.142, Cat.103","free":""}],"production":"","productionType":{"text":"","id":""},"contentDescription":"","contentPlaces":[],"associatedPlaces":[],"contentPerson":[],"associatedPerson":[],"contentOrganisations":[],"associatedOrganisations":[],"contentPeople":[],"associatedPeople":[],"contentEvents":[],"associatedEvents":[],"contentOthers":[],"contentConcepts":[{"text":"Buddhist","id":"AAT73738"}],"contentLiteraryRefs":[],"galleryLabels":[{"text":"1. Ritual Crown\r\nDated 1677\r\nMalla period\r\nThis crown would have been worn by a hereditary Vajracharya\r\npriest of the Kathmandu Valley. The Vajracharyas were originally\r\ncelibate Buddhist monks. By the early 15th century they had\r\nbeen brought within the prevailing Hindu caste structure of\r\nvalley society, with a position as one of the highest castes.\r\nGilded copper set with imitation stones in rock crystal and glass\r\nNepal\r\nGiven by Lt Col. E.W.A. Armstrong\r\nMuseum no. IS.5-1946","date":{"text":"14/06/2011","earliest":"2011-06-14","latest":"2011-06-14"}}],"partNumbers":["IS.5-1946"],"accessionNumberNum":"5","accessionNumberPrefix":"IS","accessionYear":1946,"otherNumbers":[],"copyNumber":"","aspects":["WHOLE"],"assets":["2019LP4616","2019LP3452","2019LT6300","2019LU8093","2019LU2510","2019LU1834","2019LT8898","2019LV2933","2020MP2147","2020MP2148","2020MP2149"],"recordModificationDate":"2025-09-12","recordCreationDate":"2000-02-13","availableToBook":false}}