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The Museum exhibits cover a long
span of Nepal's cultural history and some rare objects are among
its treasures. Their meaning and context within the living traditions
of Hinduism and Buddhism are explained in extensive labels. Most
of the objects are cast bronzes and gilt copper repousse work, traditional
crafts for which Patan is famous.
Form existing national collections
comprising more than 1500 objects some 300 were selected for permanent
exhibition and augmented with a few recent donations. The majority
of exhibits are sculptures of Hindu and Buddhist deities which were
created in the Kathmandu Valley, many in the nearby workshops of
Patan itself. Others originated in India, Tibet and the western
Himalayas. They are accompanied by written comentary by Mary Slusser
that attempts to explain their spiritual and art historical significance
as part of the cultural heritage of Nepal. The exhibits are also
designed to assist in interpreting the living culture that lies
beyond the museum's walls.
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