Vajracharya priest’s crown with lapis lazuli inlays. Nepal, 14th century [1500×1600] by MunakataSennin
September 18, 2024This drawing, by the Ottoman painter Åžahkulu, of a dragon entangled in swirling foliage under attack from a lion above while assaulting a phoenix is certainly the greatest masterpiece of the saz style. Now housed at the Cleveland Museum of Art [6668×2939]
September 18, 2024A 7th century BCE Etruscan tumulus tomb at the necropolis of San Cerbone – Casone in Italy [1200×2082]
September 18, 2024The Ancient Romans held mock naval battles known as naumachia for entertainment. In some cases, amphitheaters like the colosseum would be flooded and the ship battles would take place within them while spectators would watch from their seats [1161×1901]
MunakataSennin on August 31, 2024 7:06 am [Museum](https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/749151). Embellished with numerous, varied semiprecious stones, this example is perhaps the most ornate and best preserved of the known Vajracharya crowns. All the applied decor is repoussé gilt-copper sheet riveted to the crown; only the thunderbolt (vajra) finial, which surmounts all the crowns, was cast. Four Transcendent Buddhas occupy the cardinal positions around the lower section of crown, and the presence of the fifth, presiding Transcendent Buddha, Vairocana, is likely implied by the vajra finial. The curvature of the diadem band, richly inlaid with lapis lazuli, is particularly pronounced and gives an exceptional elegance to this crown.
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[Museum](https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/749151). Embellished with numerous, varied semiprecious stones, this example is perhaps the most ornate and best preserved of the known Vajracharya crowns. All the applied decor is repoussé gilt-copper sheet riveted to the crown; only the thunderbolt (vajra) finial, which surmounts all the crowns, was cast. Four Transcendent Buddhas occupy the cardinal positions around the lower section of crown, and the presence of the fifth, presiding Transcendent Buddha, Vairocana, is likely implied by the vajra finial. The curvature of the diadem band, richly inlaid with lapis lazuli, is particularly pronounced and gives an exceptional elegance to this crown.