Artwork Details

Title
Flying Naga
Dimensions
13 1/4 × 15 3/4 × 2 1/8 in.
Medium
Gilt copper alloy; repoussé
Origin
Nepal or Tibet
Classification(s)
sculpture
Date
14th century
Credit Line
Rubin Museum of Himalayan Art
Object number
C2005.16.18
Bibliography
HAR Number
65441
Published references
  • Samten G. Karmay and Jeff Watt, Bon: The Magic Word (Rubin Museum of Art, 2007), 56, 57, 58, fig. 41.
  • Gautamavajra Vajracarya, Nepalese Seasons: Rain and Ritual (Rubin Museum of Art, 2016), 34, 46-47, 49, 54, fn. 199, cat. 6.

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Power

Concepts

A kind of energy that can be used, individually and collectively, to effect change.

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Hindu Gods and Goddesses

Figure Type

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.

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Tibetan Regions

Region

Today, Tibetans primarily inhabit the Tibetan Plateau, situated between the Himalayan mountain range and the Indian subcontinent to the west, Chinese cultural regions to the east, and Mongolian cultural regions to the northeast. During the 7th to 9th century, Tibetan rulers expanded their empire across Central Asia, and established Buddhism as the state religion.

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Nepalese Regions

Region

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.

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