Image of Gallery in South Kensington
On display at V&A South Kensington
The Himalayas and South-East Asia, Room 47a

Container

18th century (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

During the daily puja or worship of deities in Nepal red powder is placed on the foreheads of the image. The use of a Buddhist stupa or chaitya shaped vessel to contain this reflects the great importance of this central symbol of the Buddha's spiritual achievement for all Buddhists.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 2 parts.

  • Container
  • Lid
Materials and techniques
Cast bell metal
Brief description
Metal container in the shape of a stupa, Nepal, 18th century
Physical description
This container in the form of a stupa (Newari: shinomu; Nepali: cholamu) was used for holding vermilion pigment powder. The circular bell-shaped base of the container is decorated with bands of pearl motifs and lotus leaves. The neck is also decorated with bands of small and large pearl motifs on top of which is a shallow cup-shaped container, the rim of which is decorated with a pearl border. On top of the lid is an umbrella of discs in diminishing diameters, suggesting the umbrella form found on top of ancient stupas and symbolising the five elements (earth, water, fire, air and ether).
Dimensions
  • Base height: 42.4cm
  • Diameter: 10.5cm
  • Weight: 2770g
Gallery label
Water Pot and Container for Red Pigment 1700–1800 Malla or Shah period The beauty and careful execution of these vessels are a demonstration of the expert casting skills of the Newar metalworkers. The container for red powder (sindur) is associated with the daily puja or worship of deities in Nepal. It is placed on the foreheads of images. Bell metal Nepal Bequeathed by Oppi Untracht Museum nos. IS.8, 32-2009 (14/06/2011)
Credit line
Bequeathed by Oppi Untracht
Object history
Bequest of Oppi Untracht and formerly in his private collection
Production
Patan, Nepal
Subject depicted
Summary
During the daily puja or worship of deities in Nepal red powder is placed on the foreheads of the image. The use of a Buddhist stupa or chaitya shaped vessel to contain this reflects the great importance of this central symbol of the Buddha's spiritual achievement for all Buddhists.
Bibliographic reference
Porvoo Museum - Oppi Untracht, Marjatta Parpola & Asko Parpola (eds): Metal Marvels: South Asian Handworks, Porvoo Museum, Porvoo, Finland, 1993, plate 184, page 93
Collection
Accession number
IS.8:1,2-2009

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Record createdSeptember 29, 2009
Record URL
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