Image title: Pair of Ceremonial Staffs

This Silver sculpture shows a Pair of Ceremonial Staffs, from the 19th century origination from Nepal.—Materials used: Silver, gilt.

Description: According to lengthy inscriptions on the tops of these staffs a number of Patan residents presented them to the god Bhimsen (Bhimasena) whom they refer to with the honorific “Aju” (Grandfather). One of the inscriptions notes the amount of gold and silver used in making the two staffs-respectively, one tola and 96 tola. A tola is approximately 12 grams (less than a half ounce); 96 tola are a little over one kilogram (around 40 ounces). Both inscriptions are dated in an unknown era “Shiva Samvat” but mention the reigning king Prithvi Bir Bikram Shah. He was king of Nepal between 1875 and 1911.

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.