Flying Naga

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

HAR Number: 65441

Published references: *Karmay, Samten G., Jeff Watt. Bon: The Magic Word. New York: Rubin Museum of Art, 2007. Fig. 41; Pp. 56,57, 58.* Vajracarya, Gautamavajra. Nepalese Seasons: Rain and Ritual. New York: Rubin Museum of Art, 2016. Cat 6: pp. 34, 46-47, 49, 54, fn. 199.

Power

Concepts

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.

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.

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.