125 - Five-petal ritual lama crown, known as a rig nga

Five-petal ritual lama crown, known as a rig nga Painted fabric, cord; slight wear on the decoration and signs of age. Tibet or Nepal, Tibetan Buddhist tradition, late 19th–early 20th century 85 cm (Total length of the cords from end to end) Provenance, according to the information provided: former Éric Chazot collection, Paris. Five panels with multilobed outlines fan out, each featuring a divine figure seated on a lotus and surrounded by a halo. The reds, greens, and golds form a small painted sanctuary that could be adjusted around the head using the flexible ties. Associated with the five families of Buddhas, this crown was worn during Tantric Buddhist rituals, particularly during initiations. It symbolically accompanies the practitioner’s transformation, inviting them to recognize within themselves the qualities of the awakened mind. General Bibliography Jeff Watt, “Ritual Object: Initiation Crowns Page,” Himalayan Art Resources, updated December 2016.