1620 Antique Buddhist Ceremonial Crown for Lama / Priest

Antique Buddhist Ceremonial Crown

Spectacular large gilted metal crown with an unusual design.

Also called mukut worn by the highest Buddhist Priests - the Vajracharyas - during tantric religious ceremonies.

In the Himalayan belt, on the occasion of Losar and other major festivals extravagant costumes are worn by the head priest and the costume includes a headdress like this one. Such clothes are reserved for the head priest of a monastery.

Note the serpentine emblems as well as the smaller Buddhist emblems decorating the dome. 

There is a semi-vajra mounted on top.

Note also the frontal head piece that is unique and has not been seen in other pieces

Such works are usually custom-made on order by the monastery and the design is unlikely to be replicated.

Age unknown.

Museum quality piece.

Link to an article by the Met Museum

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This item has spent a lifetime being used for the purpose of its creation with the original artist/user. Signs of this life lived heartily may be present on the piece in the form of stains, thread loss, loose threads, holes, tears, color run and other imperfections. Therefore the condition must be assumed to be “not” perfect. More photos of such imperfections will be provided on request.

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