Vajravarahi
Polychrome sculpture depicting deity riding on yak before pagoda situated between mountain peaks
Project Himalayan Art 108 Object Essays

The Mountain Palace of a Worldly Divinity

Mountain God Kula Khari
Tibet; 19th century
Drum made of top hemispheres of two human skulls joined at crowns; features handle strap, and clapper
Project Himalayan Art 108 Object EssaysThe Knell of Impermanence
Double-Sided Skull Drum
Tibet; probably 19th century
Mask depicting wrathful deity with third eye and bared teeth; features five-skull crown and filigreed beard
Project Himalayan Art 108 Object EssaysReenacting Foundational Stories as Communal Performance
Ritual Dance Mask of Guru Dorje Drolo
Bhutan or southern Tibet; ca. 19th century
Project Himalayan Art 108 Object Essays

Appliqué Artistic Tradition and the War God Begtse’s Significance in Mongolia

Begtse Monumental Appliqué
Yekhe Khüriye, Mongolia; late 19th–early 20th century
Golden necklace featuring repeated filigree peacock pattern, turquoise insets, and pointed oval pendant
Project Himalayan Art 108 Object Essays

The Multifaceted Power of Ornament

Tayo-bizakani Ritual Necklace with Naga, Peacock, and Dragon Motifs
Nepal; ca. 19th century
Golden and brown metal pitcher decorated with panels depicting seated figures and topped with bodhisattva-crown form
Project Himalayan Art 108 Object Essays

Vessels as Containers of Potential

Pitcher
Nepal; ca. 19th century
Hand-painted map showing a bird’s-eye view of mountainous region with prominent structures indicated in valley and throughout mountain range
Project Himalayan Art 108 Object EssaysTranscultural Visions of a Buddhist Mountain
Panoramic Map of Mount Wutai
Cifu Temple, Mount Wutai, China; 1846

Sign up for our emails

Get the latest news and stories from the Rubin, plus occasional information on how to support our work.

Discover artworks, articles, and more by typing a search term above, selecting a term below, or exploring common concepts in Himalayan art.