IDNO

P.96524.WIL

Description

A Sikkimese man, two Nepalese girls and a boy standing in front of a row of five stone-built chorten at Sosing. The basic structure of the Chortens consist of a square foundation symbolizing the earth, a dome symbolising water, and thirteen tapering steps of enlightenment symbolizing the element of fire. These steps lead to a stylized parasol, the symbol of wind, which is topped by the ‘twin-symbol’ uniting sun and moon. [JD 21/4/2008]

On Cech’s list describing prints:
“F. W. became Political Officer in Sikkim on January 4th, 1933.
(Photos 1-30 were taken in and around Gangtok).
15. “Chortens and people below Kyosing 26.3.33”
See gi: Kyosing
15a. Row of 5 stone-built chorten with two Nepali girls and one boy as well as a Sikkimese standing in front of them.” [printed text]
For more information see Cech’s list.

Place

S Asia; India; Sikkim; Sosing [Kyosing]

Cultural Affliation

Nepalese; Sikkimese

Named Person

Photographer

Williamson, Frederick

Collector / Expedition

Date

26 March 1933

Collection Name

Williamson Collection

Source

Williamson, Margaret

Format

Print Black & White

Primary Documentation

Other Information

The transcription of this album by Mark Turin and Sara Shneiderman was carried out with reference to Krystina Cech’s catalogue list alone. Alex Nadin has since revised their cataloguing by systematically matching their records to the images. Margaret Williamson’s handwritten captions for photographs have now been transcribed into the Inscription field, and Cech’s descriptions appear in the Description field. Correct entries for Place, Named Person and Other Nos. have also been entered by Alex Nadin. [Sudeshna Guha 29/10/2002]