Category: Ritual Objects | Tradition: Vajrayana Buddhism | Origin: Nepal, India, and Tibet
A Ringa, also called the Ritual Cap, looks simple from a distance, five decorated panels around the head, but it can be made from very different materials, from painted paper to gilded metal set with stones. The materials decide how it looks, how heavy it is and how long it lasts. This guide explains what a Ringa is made of, why each material is used, and how to choose and care for one.
A Quick Overview of the Materials
|
Material |
Used for |
Notes |
|
Paper or board |
Panels of paper Ringas |
Light. Hand-painted in older Ringas, usually printed today |
|
Copper sheet |
Panels and framework of metal Ringas |
The most common metal, easy to emboss and gild |
|
Brass sheet |
Panels and decorative parts |
Golden color, strong and good for detail |
|
Silver sheet |
Costly Ringas |
Used for premium crowns |
|
Gold and silver finishes |
Surface of metal Ringas |
Electroplated gold, silver plating, or traditional fire-gilding |
|
Stones and beads |
Decoration |
Turquoise, coral, lapis, pearls and similar |
|
Cotton |
Band, ties and lining |
Binds the panels and gives comfort |
|
Felt |
Inner lining |
Thick cotton, synthetic or woolen felt that keeps the lining steady |
|
Silk and brocade |
Band, ties and tassels |
Textile decoration and binding |
|
Stitching, wire, solder and rivets |
Joining the panels |
Varies by maker and design |
Paper and Board
Paper and board Ringas are made of panels cut from layers of paper or thin board, carrying the five Buddhas, symbols and mantra syllables, often with gold for the finest details. In the past, traditional paper Ringas were painted by hand with natural colors, in the same way as a thangka. Today, printed images are the most common, which keeps the price low and the colors consistent. An early Tibetan crown of the late 14th or early 15th century, shown in the Crowns of the Vajra Masters exhibition (2018), is painted in opaque watercolor and gold on board, with a Buddha on the front of each panel and the syllables Om Ah Hum on the back. Paper and board are light and affordable, and they suit those who need a Ringa for study, practice or display, but they need more care than metal. Because a paper Ringa can be either hand-painted or printed, it is worth asking the maker which it is.
Copper
Copper is the most widely used metal for Ringas in Nepal. It is soft enough to be cut, hammered and embossed by hand, strong enough to hold its shape, and a good base for gilding. The Metropolitan Museum of Art describes Nepalese vajra crowns as made from sheets of copper that are embossed, hammered and joined, then fire-gilded and set with stones. Copper is also the usual base for gold plating.
Brass
Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc and has a natural golden color. It is a little harder than copper and is used for the panels and decorative parts of many Ringas, particularly where a bright golden look is wanted.
Silver
Silver is used for the finest and most costly crowns, either solid silver sheet or silver plating over copper or brass. Silver is bright and takes fine detail well, but tarnishes with time and should be wiped with a soft, dry cloth.
Gilding, Plating and Paint
The surface of a metal Ringa is usually finished with a golden or silver layer, or painted in places. The traditional method in the Kathmandu Valley is fire-gilding, in which gold is applied to the metal and fixed by heat. Electroplated gold is also widely used and gives a bright, even golden surface, and silver plating gives a silver-colored finish. The gold Ringas we sell are electroplated, and the silver ones are silver-plated. Some details are painted by hand. The quality and thickness of the finish affect how long it lasts.
Stones and Beads
Many Ringas are set with turquoise, red coral or coral-colored stones, lapis lazuli, pearls or imitation pearls, crystal, and colored glass stones. These are chosen for their color and are believed to add richness and beauty to the crown. Stones are usually set into small settings made on the metal or sewn onto the base. Natural stones are more costly, while glass and imitation stones are an affordable alternative. Not every Ringa has stones, and the materials of a piece should be checked and not assumed. If you want a particular stone, ask the maker which kind is used.
Cloth, Felt and Ties
Between and behind the panels, a Ringa needs cloth to hold it together and make it comfortable. In the Ringas we sell, the metal or paper panels are made first and then bound together with cotton or silk, in the form of a band along the base with long ties at the ends, often finished with small tassels of silk brocade. Inside, a thick lining of cotton, synthetic or woolen felt makes the lining more secure and steady, so that the crown sits evenly and its edges do not rest on the head. The ties let the wearer adjust the fit, and because the panels are bound to a flexible band, some Ringas can also be laid flat for storage.
Joining the Panels
The five panels have to be joined to each other and to the base. Depending on the design, this is done with solder, brazing, rivets, wire or stitching, or a combination of these. In the Ringas we sell, the panels are bound together with cotton or silk, as described above. Whatever the method, the joins should be strong enough to carry the weight of the crown, and neat enough not to take away from the decoration.
Historic Materials
Old Ringas are found in materials that are less common today. A 15th-century Tibetan crown at Bonhams is made of painted leather, and other old crowns are made of cloth-covered panels or of wood. Such crowns are now mostly seen in museums, monasteries and private collections.
How to Choose a Ringa
• Think about use: A paper Ringa is light and suited to display or study. A metal Ringa is stronger and more lasting.
• Check the Buddhas: Each panel should show one of the five Buddhas clearly and be well finished.
• Look at the joins and edges: Metal edges should be smooth, and the stitching or joins firm and neat.
• Ask about the artwork: On a paper Ringa, ask whether the images are hand-painted or printed.
• Look at the finish: Gilding or plating should be even. Ask whether it is gold-plated, silver-plated or painted.
• Ask about the stones: Ask whether they are natural or imitation.
• Check the fit and weight: The crown should sit evenly and be comfortable if it is to be worn.
Caring for a Ringa
Keep it in a clean, dry and high place, away from damp. Handle it by the base and not by the decorated points. Wipe metal gently with a soft dry cloth and avoid chemical polish on plated surfaces. Keep paper and cloth Ringas, and the felt lining, away from moisture, sunlight and insects.
How Our Ringas Are Made of These Materials
We sell all types of Ringa, from paper to metal, and our artisans make them. Our metal Ringas are made from copper plates and, in some pieces, brass plates. The gold-colored ones are electroplated, and the silver-colored ones are silver-plated. Our paper Ringas have paper panels with Buddha images and a gold-colored edging.
Once the panels are made, cotton or silk is used to bind them together into a crown, and a thick lining of cotton, synthetic or woolen felt is added inside to make it steady. Long cotton or silk ties at the ends adjust the fit. Some of our Ringas may include decorative stones, or brass or silver elements, while others are simply copper with a gold-colored plated finish, so we do not assume the materials of any piece without examining it. Each product page lists the materials and measurements of that Ringa.
Our Ringas are not blessed. We do not sell blessed items, but we can arrange a blessing at the customer's request, on the customer's behalf.
Read more: What Is a Ringa? | How Is a Ringa Made?
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Ringa made of?
Paper or board, or metal such as copper, brass or silver, bound together with cotton or silk and lined with felt, and often finished with plating and sometimes stones.
Which metal is best for a Ringa?
Copper is the traditional choice in Nepal, and brass and silver are also used. The finish matters as much as the metal.
Are the stones real?
It depends on the piece. Natural stones such as turquoise, coral and lapis are used on some, and glass or imitation stones on others. Ask the maker.
Is a paper Ringa less sacred than a metal one?
Both show the Five Buddhas. The material changes how durable and costly the crown is, not what it represents.
Are Ringas gold-plated?
Many are finished with gold. Ours are electroplated in gold or plated in silver, and some Ringas are fire-gilded or painted.
Are paper Ringas painted or printed?
Traditional paper Ringas were hand-painted with natural colors. Most today carry printed images, so it is worth asking the maker which kind you are buying.
What is inside a Ringa?
A lining of thick cotton, synthetic or woolen felt, which keeps the crown steady and comfortable. The panels are bound together with cotton or silk.
Is a Ringa blessed?
Ours are not blessed. We can arrange a blessing at your request, on your behalf.