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HIMALAYAN OBJECTS FROM THE COLLECTION
NEPAL
Buddhist Painting from India, Nepal, and Tibet
Sculpture from Nepal
KASHMIR
Sculpture from Kashmir
TIBET
Buddhist Painting from India, Nepal, and Tibet
Sculpture from Tibet
Sculpture from Nepal

Historically, Nepal consisted of a much smaller region than the modern nation, formed in 1769, encompasses today. It included only the section known as the Kathmandu Valley and a few outlying areas comprising about 200 square miles. Most of the art and architecture in the Kathmandu Valley was created by the Newars, one of the many ethnic groups in Nepal. Predominantly Buddhist, Newari artists were renowned throughout Asia for the high quality of their work. Both China and Tibet imported art and artists from Nepal to adorn their temples, monasteries, and homes, spreading Nepalese style far beyond the country's borders.

Nepal is one of the few places in the world where Buddhism and Hinduism have coexisted peacefully for almost two thousand years. These two religions are not only historically entwined but also share many gods, festivals, shrines, and aspirations. It makes little or no difference to the Nepalese whether they receive blessings from a Hindu or Buddhist deity as long as that deity is potent. Images of both faiths were made by professional artists whose personal beliefs did not influence their vocation. Thus, although all the sculptures in this chapter are religious, a Hindu or Buddhist style is not discernible.

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Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara


Shiva and Parvati


Bodhisattva


Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara


Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara


Ketumati Maitreya


Shiva and Parvati


Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara
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