This exquisitely crafted gilded répoussé plaque depicts a special birthday celebration common to the Kathmandu Valley known as the Chariot Ritual. It is practiced by both Hindus and Buddhists when an elder reaches the age of seventy-seven. The festivities include the elder riding through the city on a chariot accompanied by the performance of various religious services in front of a sacred stupa.
To commemorate the birthday, Buddhists are also required to commission the construction of a stupa. However, if unable to build a full-size stupa, the family can sponsor a small three-dimensional or hammered metal sculpture or a painting of a stupa, of which this is an example. The presence of Manjushri, the Bodhisattva of Wisdom, at middle left and a monkey at the bottom left identify this stupa as likely representing a specific site, the famous Swayambhu Stupa of Kathmandu. A dedication inscription along the base dates the work to 1776.
Details
- Title : Bhimarata Chariot Ritual
- Year : 1776
- Artist : Unknown
- Classification : Statue
- Medium : Gilt copper; repouss
- Dimension : H 17 1/2 x W 11 1/2 x D 3 3/4 in
- Accession No : C2006.66.63, HAR700095
- Country/ Geo-location : Nepal
- Culture : Hindu and Buddists
- Collection : The Rubin Museum of Art
- Credit Line : Rubin Museum of Art, Shelley and Donald Rubin
- Acquisition Method : Gift