Newar Chaitya Incense Burner with Buddhas – Kathmandu Valley, c. 1900 – SKU 741

A functioning incense burner conceived as Buddhist architecture

Made in the Kathmandu Valley, this Newar metalwork object transforms a chaitya into a practical ritual vessel. Small seated Buddhas occupy niches in the pierced dome, while makara forms and dense floral ornament animate the lower structure. The removable top allowed incense to be placed inside and smoke to escape through the perforations.

Evidence of use

The interior retains old soot and burning residues rather than a merely decorative darkening. Across the exterior, a deep patina is interrupted by corrosion, traces of red pigment and remnants of a gold-toned finish, giving the object a layered ritual surface.

Object record

• Origin: Kathmandu Valley, Nepal
• Tradition: Newar
• Date: late 19th to early 20th century
• Material: bronze / copper alloy
• Construction: two-part body with removable pierced dome
• Dimensions: H 22 × W 13 × D 13 cm
• Weight: 1.2 kg

A compact piece of Nepalese ritual metalwork whose original function remains unusually legible.

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