Nepal
17th century
Nepal
17th century
Prescribed practices that carry symbolic meaning and value within a specific tradition and are intended to attain a desired outcome. Rituals are usually done as part of a ceremony or regular routine.
A kind of energy that can be used, individually and collectively, to effect change.
Hindu gods (deva) are thought to be manifestations of the absolute, or Brahman. The goddesses (devi) are considered manifestations of the Great Mother Goddess (Mahadevi), who is seen as the counterpart to Brahman.
The Himalayan kingdoms of the Kathmandu Valley were significant centers of Buddhist culture. Nepalese kings, Buddhist institutions, and ordinary people patronized the vibrant art guilds. The artistic traditions of the regions are well-known in Tibetan areas and beyond, and Newar artists have always been in high demand throughout Tibetan regions and Inner Asia.
Though Nepalese art can be massive in size, some of the most magnificent and important works are actually quite small. While you might be drawn to the largest or most flashy works of art in the gallery, master craftmanship is often evident at a micro scale. Check out these tiny treasures from the Rubin Museum’s collection.
Garuda; Nepal; 17th century; Gilt copper alloy with inlays of semiprecious stones; 5 3/8 × 4 × 2 1/2 in.; Rubin Museum of Art; Rubin Museum of Himalayan Art; C2005.16.13
This 13th-century sculpture captures the magnificence of Garuda—Vishnu’s animal vehicle—in a small package. Though he’s only eight inches tall and four inches wide, his broad chest and elongated wingspan suggest his power and significance to the Nepalese people. Garuda is known for being a mythical creature with incredible military might. You wouldn’t know it from looking at this small sculpture, but Garuda is supposed to be incredibly large with a wingspan of 330 yojanas (which roughly equals around 3,000 miles). This sculpture was most likely part of a much larger structure, demonstrating the incredible attention to detail used by artisans of the Kathmandu Valley.
Vasudhara; Nepal; 13th century; Metal; 6 1/4 × 5 3/16 × 4 1/4 in.; Rubin Museum of Art; Rubin Museum of Himalayan Art; C2007.23.1
In the Kathmandu Valley, Vasudhara is an important goddess of the harvest. This sculpture from the 12th century is only about seven inches tall and six inches wide. The name “Vasudhara” means “shower of wealth,” a reference to the abundance she provides. In the Kathmandu Valley, Buddhists will worship her at the exact moment the rice becomes ready to harvest.
Indra; Nepal; 16th century; Gilt copper alloy; 3 5/8 × 3 × 2 5/8 in.; Rubin Museum of Art; Rubin Museum of Himalayan Art; C2005.16.44
This 16th-century sculpture of Indra is incredibly delicate and conveys a sense of regality fitting for the king of the gods. Despite his high status, he is still quite small, with a height of about three and a half inches tall, three inches wide, and two and a half inches deep. He wears his iconic round crown etched with cloud foliage, tying him to the sky as the god of thunder and lighting. His pose has a life-like fluidity to it, a key trait of the Nepalese sculptural style.
Kumara; Nepal; 11th century; Metal; 5 1/8 × 3 1/8 × 2 1/8 in.; Rubin Museum of Art; Rubin Museum of Himalayan Art; C2004.14.10
Don’t underestimate his size! Coming in at five inches tall and three inches wide, the tiny Kumara rides his mount, a peacock, while he holds a spear in his right hand. Worshiped during the festival of Sithi Nakha, Kumara signals the beginning of the rice planting season and the start of the monsoon season. According to curator Guatama Vajracharya, the Nepalese consider Kumara to be the archetypical “rain baby” representing both the water droplet and the seed necessary to produce a successful harvest in the fall.
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