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Object Details
16th Arhat
Clay Figure
Buddha Shakyamuni personally selected the Sixteen Arhats from amongst his disciples and requested them to protect the Dharma. At the time of the parinirvana, they vowed to remain in the world and maintain the Dharma until the time of the future Buddha Maitreya.
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Context from the Shantideva Buddhist Centre.
These small clay figures are the kind of object that was overlooked when collecting and looting took place, as inevitably it was the gold and glitter of the metal and carved items that caught the eye of the soldiers. However, their fragility and subsequent rarity make them particularly interesting. Each is sealed, probably containing a relic of the teacher or Lama they represent. In Lt Hadow's list of items that he brought back from Tibet they are simply shown as 'image of Lama'.
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Context by Kate Thaxton, Curator of the Royal Norfolk Regimental Museum.
Tibetan Prayer Wheel
Hand held prayer wheel which contains a prayer script, turning it is equal to the recitation of the mantra.
Context by Tenzin Topdhen, Director of the TIbet Museum.
A Tibetan prayer wheel; a copper cylinder with a handle which also serves as the axis around which the cylinder can revolve, being set in motion by a small weight which is attached to it by a string or chain. The cylinder contains a paper roll on which Buddhist texts are printed. The idea is that by setting the prayer wheel in motion praying is done automatically.
This is the kind of object that Arthur Hadow and other officers collected as souvenirs. In July 1904 he wrote to his mother The next day an armistice was declared which lasted for a couple of days so I took the opportunity to ride over to the monastery to do a little looting! I know by this time the best places to search so we had brought some lanterns with us and I at once made for the cellars where we found some things hidden away. We only had time to visit a few of the buildings so did not get very much and we then had to divide the things between the three of us. I got rather a nice gong which no doubt you will find useful when I am able to get it home'.
Context by Kate Thaxton, Curator of the Royal Norfolk Regimental Museum.
Bowsman's Thumb Guard
It is used in archery for the protection of fingers, it is made of animal bone.
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Context by Tenzin Topdhen, Director of the TIbet Museum.
A bone finger protector reputed to have been used by the Tibetans when shooting with bow and arrow. The gulf between the Tibetan weapons and the British firepower is stark. However, there are no references by Hadow to being attacked by Tibetans with bows and arrows. It is likely that these were used for hunting.
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Context by Kate Thaxton, Curator of the Royal Norfolk Regimental Museum.
Tibetan Trumpet
Used for tantric rituals as a flute, made from the foot bone of a human. Unique about this one is that the top part is made of animal horn.
Context by Tenzin Topdhen, Director of the TIbet Museum.
Arthur Hadow wrote to his mother describing finding various items. "Everything which appeared worth having was taken and after some things had been set aside for the British Museum the remainder was divided amongst the officers. Three small images fell to my share of no particular value beyond being curiosities. After all this loot had been divided anyone was allowed to go into the fort and take what they liked (there being practically nothing left). We picked up various other odds and ends but nothing of particular value beyond being curiosities. I found a trumpet made out of a human thigh bone and there were several skulls with offerings in them in front of the images..."
Context by Kate Thaxton, Curator of the Royal Norfolk Regimental Museum.
Tibetan Flint with White Stone
Flint is used in every household and is always attached to a female's belt, carried with a white stone to start a fire with a small rub.
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Context by Tenzin Topdhen, Director of the TIbet Museum.
The intense cold of the Himilayas means that the ability to make a fire is essential. Striking a flint on to a steel edge to make a spark is an age-old way of starting a fire. Small items such as this were treated as trinkets by those on the Youghusband mission to Tibet, and were eagerly traded by Tibetans for Indian rupees.
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Context by Kate Thaxton, Curator of the Royal Norfolk Regimental Museum.
Tibetan Stone Moulds
Tibetan matchlock musket used round lead bullets which cast using bullet mold (stone) which carried in a leather case attached to a waist belt.
Context by Tenzin Topdhen, Director of the TIbet Museum.
The intense cold of the Himilayas means that the ability to make a fire is essential. Striking a flint on to a steel edge to make a spark is an age-old way of starting a fire. Small items such as this were treated as trinkets by those on the Youghusband mission to Tibet, and were eagerly traded by Tibetans for Indian rupees.
Context by Kate Thaxton, Curator of the Royal Norfolk Regimental Museum.
5-Pointed Brass Vajra
Used in Tibetan Buddhism ceremonies, the Dorjee synbolises the thunderbolt of enlightenments, the unshakable power of mind.
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Context by Tenzin Topdhen, Director of the TIbet Museum.
Kadmapa Stupa
Minature stupa It belong to Kadampa school which brought to Tibet in th 11th century with the Indian master Atisha. It style of Indian burial mounds which holds royal or sacred remains. It symbolize Buddha passing away, from eight great stupa.
Context by Tenzin Topdhen, Director of the TIbet Museum.
Stupa Mandala
A Mandala Stupa in the shape of Namgyal chorten (victories stupa), with Namgyal ma goddess inside.
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Context by Tenzin Topdhen, Director of the TIbet Museum.
The collecting of religious artifacts in Tibet was controversial even at the time. Some were purchased, and many Tibetans, including monks, were happy to trade, but there is no doubt that looting took place. Hadow writes candidly to his mother describing this. "While groping about in the dark I put my hand on something which I pulled out and discovered to be a model of a 'chorten'. A chorten is a kind of religious monument which is very common in Tibet and often contains the remains of an important Lama. The model was black and grimed with dirt. On cleaning off some of the dirt yesterday afternoon I discovered it to be made of copper and it appears to be plated with gold. It is set with small turquoises and coral. It is a very handsome thing and when properly clean will look very fine indeed.
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Context by Kate Thaxton, Curator of the Royal Norfolk Regimental Museum.
