The old neighborhood of Oku-Bahal, for centuries, has been the center of Newari artisans and metal craftsmen, who created – and still do – copper vessels, sculptures, and architectural metalwork by casting and repoussé. Named after a Buddhist monastery in its midst the area also contains the small sikhara-style terracotta temple of Mahabouddha. This temple is also often referred to as “Temple of a Nine Thousand Buddhas”, due to thousands of small Buddha images that cover its surface. Allegedly, its foundation was laid by an artist and architect in the 7th century AD.
Many dozens of shops, small and large, line the narrow streets and squares. Some house workshops in their back rooms, while other craftsmen operate without window front. The streets are filled with faint noises of hammering. The metal workers of Oku-Bahal still create images and finials for temples in Nepal and the Himalayan region, including Ladakh, Tibet and Buthan, as well as other parts of Asia, and for the tourist trade. The skilled artisans are also involved with repairs and upkeep of images in temples and heritages sites, a subject to be explored in future entries.
One area of the neighborhood finds a concentration of shops selling raw materials, copper sheets and coils, brass, resins and much more, and stores that display finished wares.
Numerous vendors cater to the needs of Buddhist temples and monasteries, selling prayer wheels and roof decorations such as those seen in the bottom right image (above) of the Guru Lhakhang Gompa in Boudha, Kathmandu.
Buddhist and Hindu divinities of all sizes, made by different techniques in different alloys and with different surface finishes, are exhibited throughout. Many sculptures carry a traditional gilding layer on the surface of the face, which is protected from sunlight by cotton wrappings.
Preservation of metalwork in Nepal 