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Tibetan objects

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Most of the objects in the Museum’s Tibetan collection were acquired in the short timespan of 1890-1930, less than a lifetime, making this collection a snapshot of the British Empire’s relationship with Tibet.

  • Wooden sutra cover with Prajnaparamita (at centre), Shakyamuni Buddha (at right), and Vairochana (at left), and bodhisattvas and deities. 15th-16th century. Acquired by Lt. Frederick 'Eric' Marsham Bailey. A.1910.192

    Wooden sutra cover with Prajnaparamita (at centre), Shakyamuni Buddha (at right), and Vairochana (at left), and bodhisattvas and deities. 15th-16th century. Acquired by Lt. Frederick 'Eric' Marsham Bailey. A.1910.192

  • Gau (amulet container) made of copper, glass and clay. Late 19th century. Acquired by Miss Annie Royle, Taylor. A.1897.266.11

    Gau (amulet container) made of copper, glass and clay. Late 19th century. Acquired by Miss Annie Royle, Taylor. A.1897.266.11

  • Woman's necklet of charms and shells. Late 19th century. Acquired by Rev. J.W. Innes Wright. A.1897.319.12

    Woman's necklet of charms and shells. Late 19th century. Acquired by Rev. J.W. Innes Wright. A.1897.319.12

  • Statue of a seated bodhisattva, made of brass and turquoise. 19th century. Acquired by Rev. J.W. Innes Wright. A.1897.319.8

    Statue of a seated bodhisattva, made of brass and turquoise. 19th century. Acquired by Rev. J.W. Innes Wright. A.1897.319.8

  • Tea jug, made of copper and brass. 19th century. Acquired by Lilian Le Mesurier. A.1907.437

    Tea jug, made of copper and brass. 19th century. Acquired by Lilian Le Mesurier. A.1907.437

  • Chopstick and knife set, made of bone, silver, wood, steel and brass. Late 19th century. Acquired by Miss Annie Royle, Taylor. A.1897.266.42

    Chopstick and knife set, made of bone, silver, wood, steel and brass. Late 19th century. Acquired by Miss Annie Royle, Taylor. A.1897.266.42

  • Damaru (hand-held drum) made of leather covered coconut shell with cloth beaters. Late 19th century. Acquired by Rev. J.W. Innes Wright. A.1897.219.1

    Damaru (hand-held drum) made of leather covered coconut shell with cloth beaters. Late 19th century. Acquired by Rev. J.W. Innes Wright. A.1897.219.1

  • Handheld prayer-wheel made of silver and wood. 19th century. Acquired by Lt. Frederick 'Eric' Marsham Bailey. A.1909.442

    Handheld prayer-wheel made of silver and wood. 19th century. Acquired by Lt. Frederick 'Eric' Marsham Bailey. A.1909.442

  • Apron of human bone. 18th-19th century. Acquired by Major William John Ottley. A.1905.352

    Apron of human bone. 18th-19th century. Acquired by Major William John Ottley. A.1905.352

  • Soup ladle made of wood, brass, copper and iron. Late 19th century. Acquired by Lilian Le Mesurier. A.1907.433

    Soup ladle made of wood, brass, copper and iron. Late 19th century. Acquired by Lilian Le Mesurier. A.1907.433

  • Shrine case with a painting of a monk or an arhat, made of wood and polychrome. 19th century. Acquired by Lilian Le Mesurier. A.1907.419

    Shrine case with a painting of a monk or an arhat, made of wood and polychrome. 19th century. Acquired by Lilian Le Mesurier. A.1907.419

  • Wooden printing block. Late 19th century. Acquired by Rev. J.W. Innes Wright. A.1897.319.6

    Wooden printing block. Late 19th century. Acquired by Rev. J.W. Innes Wright. A.1897.319.6

  • Knife made of stone and wood. Late 19th century. Acquired by Lilian Le Mesurier. A.1907.469

    Knife made of stone and wood. Late 19th century. Acquired by Lilian Le Mesurier. A.1907.469

  • Knife made of stone and wood. Late 19th century. Acquired by Lilian Le Mesurier. A.1907.468

    Knife made of stone and wood. Late 19th century. Acquired by Lilian Le Mesurier. A.1907.468

  • Pair of earrings made of gilt copper and turquoise. Late 19th century. Acquired by David and Isabelle Tyrie. A.1990.88 B

    Pair of earrings made of gilt copper and turquoise. Late 19th century. Acquired by David and Isabelle Tyrie. A.1990.88 B

  • Churn for butter tea made of wood and brass. Late 19th century. Acquired by Miss Annie Royle, Taylor. A.1897.320.16

    Churn for butter tea made of wood and brass. Late 19th century. Acquired by Miss Annie Royle, Taylor. A.1897.320.16

  • Par-pa (tea bowl) made of wood. Late 19th century. Acquired by Miss Annie Royle, Taylor. A.1897.266.40

    Par-pa (tea bowl) made of wood. Late 19th century. Acquired by Miss Annie Royle, Taylor. A.1897.266.40

  • Pair of earrings made of gilt copper and turquoise. Late 19th century. Acquired by David and Isabelle Tyrie. A.1990.88 A

    Pair of earrings made of gilt copper and turquoise. Late 19th century. Acquired by David and Isabelle Tyrie. A.1990.88 A

  • Woman's earring made of gilt and turquoise. 19th century. Acquired by Rev. J.W. Innes Wright. A.1897.319.10

    Woman's earring made of gilt and turquoise. 19th century. Acquired by Rev. J.W. Innes Wright. A.1897.319.10

  • Pair of saddle bags of yak skin. Late 19th century. Acquired by Miss Annie Royle, Taylor. A.1897.320.9

    Pair of saddle bags of yak skin. Late 19th century. Acquired by Miss Annie Royle, Taylor. A.1897.320.9

Find out more

About the Tibet project
A history of collecting Tibet at National Museums Scotland
Missionaries and Tibetan material culture
Military collections from the Younghusband Expedition
Colonial collections
Further reading
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