Gyantse Kumbum

Gyantse Kumbum

1998.157.26 (Transparency colour)

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Key Information

Photographer

Frederick Spencer Chapman

Collection

Frederick Spencer Chapman

Date of Photo

1936

Region

Gyantse > Kumbum

Accession number

1998.157.26

Image Dimensions

92 x 60

The Great chorten at Gyantse, known as the Kumbum. The tiers of the structure dominate the image, rising up to the great finial. The highly decorated window lintels can also be seen. There is a very good view of the metal 'umbrella' at the top of the chorten. In the background, the hills surrounding Gyantse can be seen as well as sections of the town wall on top.

Further Information

Photographic Process

Transparency Colour , Transparency Kodachrome

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 Pitt Rivers Museum Number

SC.T.1.26

Other Information

In Negative - '2 LSCT 667/24 31/8X5' has been written along the bottom edge of the transparency on the reverse side [MS 07/04/2006]

Other Information - Dates


Other Information - Dates: This photograph seems to have been taken on the return journey from Lhasa in February - March 1937. Chapman describes an earlier visit to the dzong to take photographs in the Mission Diary for August 15th 1936 and in his book Lhasa The Holy City [London: Chatto & Windus, 1938; reprint, London: Readers Union Ltd., 1940, pp. 54-55] but he does not describe seeing the Kumbum at close quarters en route to Lhasa in 1936. [MS 28/1/2005]

For Citation use:
The Tibet Album. "Gyantse Kumbum" 05 Dec. 2006. The Pitt Rivers Museum. <http://tibet.prm.ox.ac.uk/photo_1998.157.26.html>.

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