Key Information

Photographer

Hugh E. Richardson

Collection

Hugh Richardson

Date of Photo

1949

Region

Yarlung Valley Region > Tradrug

Accession number

2001.59.13.48.2

Image Dimensions

60 x 90 mm

The bronze bell at Tradrug (Khra 'brug) temple in the Yarlung valley hanging from the wooden rafters of the temple doorway which has a lintel decorated with ornate lettering and painting of clouds. The bell has a hand imprint on it. The heads of two men may be seen below and either side of the bell.

Further Information

Photographic Process

Print silver

Date Acquired

Donated August 2001

Donated by

The executors of the estate of Hugh E. Richardson

Expedition

Richardson's 1949 tour of the Yarlung and Chyongye valleys

Other Information

Notes on print/mount - 'Inscribed bell at Khra 'Brug' is written on the reverse of print in pencil in Richardson's hand and 'Velox' in an oval is stamped in black.

Manual Catalogues -

Manual Catalogues - Notes on Blue negative album index - No. 49. 'Khro phug bell'.

Manual Catalogues -

Manual Catalogues - Richardson's handlist: 'Blue Album. [No.] 48, 49. 'Ancient bell at Khra-'brug, also in Album 9 no 50.'

Manual Catalogues -

Manual Catalogues - Richardson's handlist: 'Blue Album. [No.] 48, 49. 'Ancient bell at Khra-'brug, also in Album 9 n0.50'
Other Information - Location: Richardson mentions this temple in High Peaks, Pure Earth , London, Serindia Publications, 1998, p. 318. "Further south [of Rtse tshogs pa] is what is probably the oldest religious building in Yarlung, the much revered Khra-'brug (1949) temple. It is attributed to Srong-brtsan Sgam-po and is mentioned in an edict by Khri Srong-lde-brtsan but may well have undergone enlargement or restoration at different times. It is an echo of what the Lhasa Jo-khang may have originally looked like. The temple stands in a courtyard surrounded by a high, solidly built, red-topped white wall and a large gate-house in which is a small chapel. ... Over the temple doorway hangs a heavy bronze bell which suffered some damage. It is inscibed with a prayer by the dowager queen Byang-chub for the benefit of king Lde-srong-brtsan, who perhaps sponsored some repairs to the temple. ...".

For Citation use:
The Tibet Album. "Bronze bell at Tradung in the Yarlung valley" 05 Dec. 2006. The Pitt Rivers Museum. <http://tibet.prm.ox.ac.uk/photo_2001.59.13.48.2.html>.

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