Image title: Shrine of an Unknown Deity

This Copper sculpture shows the image of a Shrine of an Unknown Deity, from the 19th century (ca. A.D. 1855) origination from Nepal.—Materials used: Copper repoussé.

Description: Only the family who inscribed and dedicated this object to their personal deity (istadevata) could name this faceless image which has no revealing attributes by which it could be recognized by others.

Gallery information:

The Patan Museum is located on the Durbar square of Patan (Lalitpur/Lalitapura, Kathmandu, Nepal) which is associated Keshav Narayan Chowk (Keshavnarayan)—a form of Lord Vishnu. Being listed as a World Heritage Site, the whole of Durbar square is filled with exquisite temples, sculptures and other ancient structures, of which the ancient history history can be traced to the Malla Kings of Lalitpur. It is an important site for both Buddhism and Hinduism.