Brass and Bronze Museum | Bhaktapur

Information

Landmark: Brass and Bronze Museum
City: Bhaktapur
Country: Nepal
Continent: Asia

Brass and Bronze Museum, Bhaktapur, Nepal, Asia

Brass and Bronze Museum is a specialized museum in Bhaktapur, Nepal, located in a historic priest house directly opposite the Woodcarving Museum.

Visual Characteristics

The museum is housed in the Chikanpha Math, a traditional 15th-century Newari building featuring red brickwork and dark timber. The interior is characterized by narrow, low-ceilinged rooms where artifacts are displayed in glass cases and on open shelves. The atmosphere is dense with the metallic sheen of ancient alloys against aged wood.

Location & Access Logistics

Located in Dattatreya Square (Tachapal Tole), Bhaktapur.

Transit: 10-minute walk east from Bhaktapur Durbar Square.

Access: Entry is included with the National Art Museum ticket.

Admission: Validated via the combined museum ticket (approx. 150 NPR).

Hours: Daily 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Winter: until 4:00 PM). Closed on Saturdays.

Historical Origin

The museum occupies a former Math (Hindu priest house) dating back to the Malla period. It was converted into a museum in the mid-20th century to document the Kathmandu Valley's long history of metal casting, which was a vital industry for religious iconometry and domestic utensils.

Key Highlights & Activities

Ritual Vessels: A vast collection of Karwas (water pots), Sukundas (oil lamps), and Kalash (sacred jars) used in Hindu and Buddhist ceremonies.

Spittoons and Hookahs: Displays of ornate everyday items used by the Newari aristocracy, often featuring intricate engravings.

Engraved Plates: Massive ceremonial plates and bowls depicting deities and geometric mandalas.

Casting Tools: Traditional molds and instruments showing the "lost-wax" casting process used by local metalworkers.

Infrastructure & Amenities

The building is a historic structure with steep, narrow wooden stairs; it is not wheelchair accessible. It is smaller and less crowded than the National Art Museum. 5G signal is stable in the square.

Best Time to Visit

Combined Visit: Immediately after visiting the Woodcarving Museum (Pujari Math), which is situated across the street.

Facts & Legends

A technical oddity is the alloy composition; many of the older items are made of Panchadhatu (five-metal alloy) or Ashtadhatu (eight-metal alloy), which were believed to possess spiritual and medicinal properties. Legend states that the sound produced by striking the museum's largest ritual bells can purify the air and drive away evil spirits from the entire Dattatreya Square.