IDNO

P.97065.WIL

Description

On Cech’s list describing prints:
“(58-135 where taken in Lhasa.)
123. “Lhasa from Kumphela’s roof 15.9.33”
See ww: Khunphela” [printed text]
For more information see Cech’s list.

A view over the rooftops of Lhasa taken from the roof of Kunphela’s house. The gilt pagoda roofs of the Jokhang can be seen in the distance. On a roof in the right middle-ground stands a large victory banner.

Place

C Asia; Tibet; Lhasa

Cultural Affliation

Named Person

Photographer

Williamson, Frederick

Collector / Expedition

Date

15 September 1933

Collection Name

Williamson Collection

Source

Williamson, Margaret

Format

Print Black & White

Primary Documentation

Other Information

Transcription: 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]

Place: Entry previously recorded place as “Asia; Central Asia; Tibet”, but Kunphela’s house is in Lhasa the record has been amended accordingly. [JD 23/1/2007]

Biographical Information: For further information on Kunphela see the Biographies File. [CJ 3/9/2008]

Context: The Banner of Victory (rgyal-mtshan) is a cylindrical layered banner and is a Buddhist object symbolizing victory over ignorance and death. The Victory Banner was traditionally carried in battle on the back of chariots, with great warriors would often having their own emblems.
“In early Buddhism, the banner represented Buddha's victorious enlightenment with his overcoming the armies of Mara (hindrances and defilements). Legend says the banner was placed on the summit of Mt Meru, symbolizing Buddha's victory over the entire universe. In Tibetan Buddhism, the banner represents eleven methods of overcoming Mara: the development of knowledge, wisdom, compassion, meditation, and ethical vows; taking refuge in the Buddha; abandoning false views; generating spiritual aspiration, skillful means, and selflessness; and the unity of the three sam¨¢dhis of emptiness, formlessness, and desirelessness.” [Source: Tibet Geographic Magazine, http://en.tibettour.com.cn/geography/200412005122090042.htm, JD 19/8/2008]

Place:“Situated at the heart of old Lhasa town, the Jokhang is Tibet's most sacred shrine. Founded by Queen Bhrikuti, the Nepalese consort of King Songtsen Gampo, on the site of the Othang lake, it was completed in 647 CE. It houses a number of important images which are the object of devotion of thousands of Tibetan devotees who come every year to pay their homages. Features very importantly in the New Year celebrations that are visually documented in the photographs taken by Hugh Richardson [held at the Pitt Rivers Museum].” [Info Source: Pitt Rivers Museum, Visual Tibet, http://tibet.prm.ox.ac.uk/glossary, JD 28/7/2008]

This catalogue record has been updated with the support of the Getty Grant Program Two. [Caspian James 3/9/2008]