Key Information

Photographer

Frederick Spencer Chapman? Other member of the Mission/

Collection

Frederick Spencer Chapman

Date of Photo

September 6th 1936

Region

Lhasa > Norbu Lingka > Stables

Accession number

1998.131.327

Image Dimensions

167 x 114

Statue of lioness playing with her cub, on the right of the stable palace at the Norbu Lingka.

Further Information

Photographic Process

Print gelatin silver

Date Acquired

Donated 1994

Donated by

Faith Spencer Chapman

Expedition

British Diplomatic Mission to Lhasa 1936-37

Photo also owned by

Frederick Spencer Chapman

Previous Catologue Number

CPX.25 In publication
'Lhasa Mission 1936, Diary of Events', P. Neame, H. Richardson, F. S. Chapman, Government of India Political Department [Note: photographs for October 18th - November 4th 1936 are not included as their relationship to text is not detailed; see Mission Diary text for details of images] [see photos in publication]

Previous Pitt Rivers Museum Number

SC.T.2.327

This Image also appears in another collection

BMR.86.1.46.1 2001.35.311.1

Published

'Lhasa Mission 1936, Diary of Events', P. Neame, H. Richardson, F. S. Chapman, Government of India Political Department [Note: photographs for October 18th - November 4th 1936 are not included as their relationship to text is not detailed; see Mission Diary text for details of images] [view list of illustrations]

Other Information

Notes on print/mount - There are a large number of crop and reproduction marks on the back of the image. These include the caption "Cloisonné lioness playing with her cub, at Norbu Lingka" and instruction "Cut square and cut as shown. Reduce to 3 1/2" across. Cut to fit plate 31a as shown on enclosed layout". The reference number CPX.25 has also been written on the back in pencil. A piece of tracing paper has been stuck across the back top edge and folded over the front, with further cropping instructions. This has been done to transfer instructions on the back of the print to the image front [MS 20/03/2006]

Manual Catalogues -

Manual Catalogues - Caption in Chapman's hand-written list of negatives made whilst on the Mission to Lhasa, 1936-7 [See PRM Manuscripts Collection]: 'Cloisonné lion on r. of stable entrance with paw over cub'; A group of negatives containing images of boats near Dekyi Lingka crossing, Potala, Norbu Lingka main gate and stables, paintings, water prayer wheel, lake palace, ducks, mastiffs, monks washing clothes, Richardson and Dr Morgan [MS 20/03/2006]

Contemporary Publication -

Contemporary Publication - This image, not cropped in the way indicated in the notes inscribed on the back of the print, was published in Lhasa the Holy City , F. Spencer Chapman, London: Chatto & Windus, 1938, p.186 facing [MS 20/03/2006]

Other Information - Description: "The palaces are storehouses of rich presents that the Dalai Lamas have received in the past from different corners of the Buddhist world. Many were locked away and carefully sealed, but others could be seen in glass cases or were in use as ornaments. ... Most striking of all were several magnificent examples of cloisonné work: Chinese lions four feet in height, and elephants bearing vases on their backs. The lions showed the traditional characteristics of their sex: the male, with his paw pressed playfully on a ball, depicted gentleness in spite of strength, while the female, playing with her cub, showed affection" ['Lhasa: The Holy City', F. Spencer Chapman, London: Chatto & Windus, 1938, pp. 184-5]

Other Information - Description: "We were shown around everything, all the beautifully decorated private rooms, with lacquer, silk cushions and hangings, jewelled images and even the Dalai Lama's golden turquoise encrusted teacups. // Enormous Chinese cloisonné lions and elephants guard every door" ['Lhasa Mission, 1936: Diary of Events', September 6th 1936, p.3, written by Brigadier Philip Neame] [MS 20/03/2006]

Other Information - Related Images

Other Information - Related Images: Images prefixed with 'CPX' comprise a group of negatives containing images of boats near Dekyi Lingka crossing, Potala, Norbu Lingka main gate and stables, paintings, water prayer wheel, lake palace, ducks, mastiffs, monks washing clothes, Richardson and Dr Morgan. They seem to have been taken mainly on September 6th, although some of the early images may have been taken on September 4th - 5th 1936, when the Mission had two days of office activities. However, it also possible that they were taken on or around September 16th when a second visit was made to the Norbu Lingka [MS 21/03/2006]

Other Information - Photographer: Because this image has 'X' in its reference number, it is possible that it was not taken by Chapman, but maybe by Nepean or another member of the Mission using one of Chapman's cameras, although this requires further investigation [MS 20/03/2006]

For Citation use:
The Tibet Album. "Statue and murals in Norbu Lingka stable" 05 Dec. 2006. The Pitt Rivers Museum. <http://tibet.prm.ox.ac.uk/photo_1998.131.327.html>.

For more information about photographic usage or to order prints, please visit the The Pitt Rivers Museum.

The Pitt Rivers Museum

The British Museum

Statue and murals in Norbu Lingka stable