2180 Vintage Himalayan Buddhist Ceremonial Crown for Lama / Priest
Antique Buddhist Ceremonial Crown
INTRODUCTORY PRICE
Spectacular large gilted metal crown previously used by the head Vajracharya or Vajracarya lama monk in important monastic ceremonies.
Also called mukut.
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 ashtamangala emblems decorating the dome.
Such works are usually custom-made on order for the head priest of the monastery . Crowns that are retired are duly consecrated and then passed on to the outside world.
The metal crown is probably 70-80 years old but the embellishments - the Buddha figures, the red and blue stones - may be replacements made in the '80s or '90s.
This was acquired from a store in the US.
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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