Nepal
Plaque with Crowned Buddha
Nepal, Shah period (1768-2008), 19th century
Wood plaque, copper, gilt, gilt wire, and jewels, including pearls, garnets, turquoise, and gemstones
24½ × 20½ × 3 in. (62.2 × 52.1 × 7.6 cm)
Object Description
Nepalese art bears the strong imprint of the Newari people, a minority community concentrated in the Kathmandu Valley. The Newars, followers of both Hinduism and Buddhism, were highly skilled and creative metalsmiths, woodcarvers, sculptors, and painters. Their devotional objects were in demand in Tibet and China as well as Nepal. The style, known for youthful, sensuous bodies, sharp facial features, and elegant ornaments and jewelry, influenced religious arts throughout the entire Himalayan region.
This devotional plaque features a crowned Buddha seated in the posture of meditation in a densely foliated jungle setting. It displays intricate craftsmanship and unabashed love of ornament. Using detail shared with Newari jewelry—variously colored stones picking out floral motifs—the plaque is intended to be hung. Decorative plaques such as this one and several others in the museum’s collection were used as architectural embellishments in Nepalese temples. They might designate a miniature shrine within a temple or serve as a personal votive object.
UTD Location Information: The Edith O’Donnell Arts & Technology Building was built to house the School of Arts, Technology, and Emerging Communication. In addition to the 1,200-seat lecture hall and classrooms, the building contains art studio spaces, research labs, a motion capture lab, and art exhibitions.
Letter: M
Let’s go shopping! You’ll find all your UTD gear and gifts in this building.
- About The Museum
- Calendar
- Celebrating Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month
- Contact
- Crow Museum of Asian Art – UTD Art Walk: AD 3.102 Office
- Crow Museum of Asian Art – UTD Art Walk: ATC Building
- Crow Museum of Asian Art – UTD Art Walk: ECSW Building
- Crow Museum of Asian Art – UTD Art Walk: Founders Building
- Crow Museum of Asian Art – UTD Art Walk: McDermott Library
- Crow Museum of Asian Art – UTD Art Walk: Parking Lot M
- Crow Museum of Asian Art – UTD Art Walk: Plinth
- Crow Museum of Asian Art – UTD Art Walk: Science Building
- Crow Museum of Asian Art – UTD Art Walk: Student Services Building
- Crow Museum of Asian Art – UTD Art Walk: Student Union
- Crow Museum of Asian Art – UTD Art Walk: TI Plaza
- Crow Museum of Asian Art – UTD Art Walk: Visitor Center Building
- Crow Museum of Asian Art Campus Art Walk
- Dallas Arts District
- Director’s Circle
- Donate
- Events
- Exhibitions
- FAQ’s
- Home
- Join
- Learn
- Lotus Shop
- Membership
- Mystical Arts of Tibet
- Schedule A Tour
- Tickets
- Visit
- Where to Park & Accessibility