HOWARD-BURY, Charles Kenneth (photographer). The Abbot of Shekar Chote, 1921

Details
HOWARD-BURY, Charles Kenneth (photographer). The Abbot of Shekar Chote, 1921

Carbon print, 445 x 332 mm., Copyright Mt. Everest Committee stamped in margin, titled and numbered in pencil on verso.
Literature
Keaney, M. (editor), Everest Reconnaissance. The first Expedition of 1921, London, 1991, p. 82 where Howard-Bury is quoted referring to this photograph "The fame of this photograph spread through the country and in places hundreds of miles away I was asked for photographs of the old Abbot of Shekar Cho-te, nor could I give a more welcome present at any house than a photograph of the old Abbot. Being looked upon as a saint, he was worshipped, and they would put these little photographs in shrines and burn incense in front of them".

Lot Essay

Diary entry for June 17, 1921 "We went in to see the Head Lama, an old man of 72 who had lived 66 years in this monastery. He had only one tooth left in his mouth but for all that he had a very pleasant smile...The other monks induced him to have his photograph taken and beautiful robes and brocades were brought out for the occasion. He was absolutely like a child, very bashful, yet longing to be taken."

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