Nepalese metalwork was praised as early as the 7th century AD by a Chinese envoy – as is documented in his records. In the 13th century, the legendary Newari artisan Aniko (also Arniko) not only worked in Tibet but he was subsequently called to the court of Kubilai Khan in China, where he influenced the imperial workshops as their leader.
The dense historic neighborhood that clusters around the Buddhist monastery Oku-Bahal has been the traditional home of Newari metal craftsmen for centuries (see also March 23, 2016 entry “Window shopping in Oku-Bahal”). Some groups of artisans are connected to monastery by hereditary membership, and in many families the craft has been passed on over generations.
Above a view into the inner courtyard of the Vihara complex with the shrine at the far end and an eccentric collection of metal sculptures, ranging from traditional images to European style hybrids.
Different communities have been engaged in different technologies and use of materials, such as casting, repoussé, gilding, goldsmithing and copper work. In more recent times, with the lack of traditional royal patronage and wider cultural shifts, including the demands of mass tourism, production patterns have shifted and there are newcomers to the profession. At the same time, work for temples and monasteries in Nepal, Asia, and beyond remains active and is flourishing with frequent orders of large-scale monuments. Today, active workshops have greatly expanded beyond the traditional quarters with some rather extensive operations.
Preservation of metalwork in Nepal 