Basin with Phoenix China, Qing dynasty, 18th Century

Tibet Museum Photo Courtesy of Bowers Museum Luxury objects—like this gold basin decorated with turquoise and precious jewels—were offered as gifts by Chinese emperors to high Tibetan lamas and members of their court. Sumptuous articles like this demonstrate the important relations maintained between the Chinese and Tibetan courts, and also reveal the opulent lifestyle led by the Tibetan nobility.

all images and text © Bowers Museum and Tibet Museum