Indian and Himalayan Art Diadem Made in Donkar monastery, Chumbi Valley (Lingmatang), Tibet, AsiaLate 19th or early 20th century Artist/maker unknown, Tibetan Opaque watercolor and gold on cardboard with cloth Currently not on view 1933-63-5d Gift of Hannah Neil Wheeler in memory of Charles Wheeler, 1933 |
LabelThis type of diadem, called rigs-nga in Tibetan, is worn during special initiation rituals when the monk-officiate is temporarily incarnated as a divine figure. The individuals painted on it are the spiritual fathers of the vast Mahayana Buddhist pantheon who rule over the five directions (north, south, east, west, and center). Thus wearing this diadem calls upon the powers of the entire pantheon. |
