Photos

Kathmandu has many medieval art treasures. In other countries these objects would be kept in a museum, but there, they dot the streets and temples, exactly where they were first placed. One of the glories of Nepalese medieval art is the ancient copper bass relief work. These were made by the repousser method : That is , that the image was punched into the softened metal from behind. The copper images were covered with gold leaf. Some of the best work decorates Swayambhunath complex, the ancient Buddhist temple , founded at the beginning of the 5th century C.E . These two images (two of many) decorate the great stupa and are placed beside on of the many niches containing Buddha images. It depicts one of the Buddha's disciples, together with a Bodhisattva, a sort of Buddhist saint. The Bodhisattva is probably Manjushri , the bodhisattva of divine wisdom. He is seen as the protector of Kathmandu and the founder of the Nepalese culture.
He is know by the sword of wisdom, in his right hand (not now clearly visible) and the left hand in the ‘teaching’ position (mudra) He is shown with the fully opened lotus flowers beside him, signifying the fullness of wisdom. These superb work were made between the 13th and 16th