Buddhas in the West Material Archive
@buddhasinthewest.bsky.social
Exploring the circulation of Buddhist material culture in Western historical media, including prints, photos, ephemera, &c. Digital public scholarship project curated by @peterromaskiewicz.bsky.social.
📜 #buddhasinthewest
🌟 New Posts: Mon, Wed, & Fri.
📜 #buddhasinthewest
🌟 New Posts: Mon, Wed, & Fri.
As noted by Kristel Smentek, the pagoda was not a mere garden ornament, but a sign of political protest against the court who exiled the duke.
For more on Chanteloup's pagoda see Smentek's "A Prospect of China in Eighteenth-Century France: The Pagoda at Chanteloup" (2019).
#buddhasinthewest
For more on Chanteloup's pagoda see Smentek's "A Prospect of China in Eighteenth-Century France: The Pagoda at Chanteloup" (2019).
#buddhasinthewest
November 26, 2025 at 6:18 PM
As noted by Kristel Smentek, the pagoda was not a mere garden ornament, but a sign of political protest against the court who exiled the duke.
For more on Chanteloup's pagoda see Smentek's "A Prospect of China in Eighteenth-Century France: The Pagoda at Chanteloup" (2019).
#buddhasinthewest
For more on Chanteloup's pagoda see Smentek's "A Prospect of China in Eighteenth-Century France: The Pagoda at Chanteloup" (2019).
#buddhasinthewest
Designed by Louis-Denis Le Camus, the pagoda at Chanteloup is a combination of Chinese and Greco-Roman architectural forms.
The structures is supported by two round classical stories, including sixteen baseless Doric columns on the ground floor. 4/5
The structures is supported by two round classical stories, including sixteen baseless Doric columns on the ground floor. 4/5
November 26, 2025 at 6:18 PM
Designed by Louis-Denis Le Camus, the pagoda at Chanteloup is a combination of Chinese and Greco-Roman architectural forms.
The structures is supported by two round classical stories, including sixteen baseless Doric columns on the ground floor. 4/5
The structures is supported by two round classical stories, including sixteen baseless Doric columns on the ground floor. 4/5
A more direct predecessor was a pagoda design illustrated in William Chambers' Designs of Chinese Buildings from 1757.
Chambers' sketch also inspired the famous pagoda at Kew Gardens outside London, which was completed in 1762. 3/5
Chambers' sketch also inspired the famous pagoda at Kew Gardens outside London, which was completed in 1762. 3/5
November 26, 2025 at 6:18 PM
A more direct predecessor was a pagoda design illustrated in William Chambers' Designs of Chinese Buildings from 1757.
Chambers' sketch also inspired the famous pagoda at Kew Gardens outside London, which was completed in 1762. 3/5
Chambers' sketch also inspired the famous pagoda at Kew Gardens outside London, which was completed in 1762. 3/5
Commissioned by the Duke of Choiseul, the pagoda stands 44 meters and was a focal point on the grounds, directly visible from the duke's grand salon.
One inspiration for the tower was the Porcelain Pagoda of Nanjing, which had been seen in illustrated European books of China since the 1660s. 2/5
One inspiration for the tower was the Porcelain Pagoda of Nanjing, which had been seen in illustrated European books of China since the 1660s. 2/5
November 26, 2025 at 6:18 PM
Commissioned by the Duke of Choiseul, the pagoda stands 44 meters and was a focal point on the grounds, directly visible from the duke's grand salon.
One inspiration for the tower was the Porcelain Pagoda of Nanjing, which had been seen in illustrated European books of China since the 1660s. 2/5
One inspiration for the tower was the Porcelain Pagoda of Nanjing, which had been seen in illustrated European books of China since the 1660s. 2/5
Sitting on the south bank of the river Loire, construction finished at the Château de Chanteloup in 1778 on an imposing new edifice, a seven-story Chinese-style pagoda.
Built by a once-exiled French army officer, the pagoda at Chanteloup remains one of the few remnants of the palace.🧵
🗃️ 📜 #France
Built by a once-exiled French army officer, the pagoda at Chanteloup remains one of the few remnants of the palace.🧵
🗃️ 📜 #France
November 26, 2025 at 6:18 PM
Sitting on the south bank of the river Loire, construction finished at the Château de Chanteloup in 1778 on an imposing new edifice, a seven-story Chinese-style pagoda.
Built by a once-exiled French army officer, the pagoda at Chanteloup remains one of the few remnants of the palace.🧵
🗃️ 📜 #France
Built by a once-exiled French army officer, the pagoda at Chanteloup remains one of the few remnants of the palace.🧵
🗃️ 📜 #France
For a brief history of this site, see Michelle Nicholl Lynch's "The Pagoda," The Historical Review of Berks County (1995), viewable here: berkshistory.org/article/the-...
#buddhasinthewest
#buddhasinthewest
November 25, 2025 at 4:34 PM
For a brief history of this site, see Michelle Nicholl Lynch's "The Pagoda," The Historical Review of Berks County (1995), viewable here: berkshistory.org/article/the-...
#buddhasinthewest
#buddhasinthewest
Once opened to the public, the building interior showcased murals of Asia and articles from Japan, including a large Japanese temple bell Witman purchased and had shipped through the Suez Canal.
While many of the artifacts are now lost, the temple bell still remains an attraction. 4/5
While many of the artifacts are now lost, the temple bell still remains an attraction. 4/5
November 25, 2025 at 4:34 PM
Once opened to the public, the building interior showcased murals of Asia and articles from Japan, including a large Japanese temple bell Witman purchased and had shipped through the Suez Canal.
While many of the artifacts are now lost, the temple bell still remains an attraction. 4/5
While many of the artifacts are now lost, the temple bell still remains an attraction. 4/5
One story claims the pagoda was modeled on a photograph (others say a postcard) of the Nagoya Castle in Japan; another yet claims it was based on an amusement park attraction in Coney Island (see: tinyurl.com/mvah6wx7)
November 25, 2025 at 4:34 PM
One story claims the pagoda was modeled on a photograph (others say a postcard) of the Nagoya Castle in Japan; another yet claims it was based on an amusement park attraction in Coney Island (see: tinyurl.com/mvah6wx7)
William Abbott Witman decided to construct a "Japanese pagoda" in an attempt to cover the scars of his quarrying operation on Mount Penn.
After failing to obtain a liquor license, the plan to build a full resort was abandoned and the pagoda became the property of the residents of Reading. 2/5
After failing to obtain a liquor license, the plan to build a full resort was abandoned and the pagoda became the property of the residents of Reading. 2/5
November 25, 2025 at 4:34 PM
William Abbott Witman decided to construct a "Japanese pagoda" in an attempt to cover the scars of his quarrying operation on Mount Penn.
After failing to obtain a liquor license, the plan to build a full resort was abandoned and the pagoda became the property of the residents of Reading. 2/5
After failing to obtain a liquor license, the plan to build a full resort was abandoned and the pagoda became the property of the residents of Reading. 2/5
Sitting atop the southern end of Mount Penn, a seven-story wooden pagoda has overlooked Reading, Pennsylvania, since 1908.
Built as part of a luxury resort, the building and land were donated to the city in 1911, making this Buddhist-inspired building a symbol of the city. 🧵
🗃️ 📜 #Pennsylvania
Built as part of a luxury resort, the building and land were donated to the city in 1911, making this Buddhist-inspired building a symbol of the city. 🧵
🗃️ 📜 #Pennsylvania
November 25, 2025 at 4:34 PM
Sitting atop the southern end of Mount Penn, a seven-story wooden pagoda has overlooked Reading, Pennsylvania, since 1908.
Built as part of a luxury resort, the building and land were donated to the city in 1911, making this Buddhist-inspired building a symbol of the city. 🧵
🗃️ 📜 #Pennsylvania
Built as part of a luxury resort, the building and land were donated to the city in 1911, making this Buddhist-inspired building a symbol of the city. 🧵
🗃️ 📜 #Pennsylvania
For anyone attending the #AARSBL in Boston, come see the Buddhas in the West Pop-Up Exhibit this Saturday at CGIS S050 at Harvard University.
We look at the early European depictions of the Buddha and Buddhist monks from the 1660s to 1850s.
🗃️ 📜 #Buddhasinthewest
We look at the early European depictions of the Buddha and Buddhist monks from the 1660s to 1850s.
🗃️ 📜 #Buddhasinthewest
November 21, 2025 at 1:00 PM
For anyone attending the #AARSBL in Boston, come see the Buddhas in the West Pop-Up Exhibit this Saturday at CGIS S050 at Harvard University.
We look at the early European depictions of the Buddha and Buddhist monks from the 1660s to 1850s.
🗃️ 📜 #Buddhasinthewest
We look at the early European depictions of the Buddha and Buddhist monks from the 1660s to 1850s.
🗃️ 📜 #Buddhasinthewest
Beginning in England and ending in Washington DC, the Kamakura Daibutsu is the only Buddhist location visited during the lecture.
For more on the importance of travel lecturers in spreading information about Asia, see Jeanette Roan's Envisioning Asia (2010).
#Buddhasinthewest
For more on the importance of travel lecturers in spreading information about Asia, see Jeanette Roan's Envisioning Asia (2010).
#Buddhasinthewest
November 17, 2025 at 9:07 PM
Beginning in England and ending in Washington DC, the Kamakura Daibutsu is the only Buddhist location visited during the lecture.
For more on the importance of travel lecturers in spreading information about Asia, see Jeanette Roan's Envisioning Asia (2010).
#Buddhasinthewest
For more on the importance of travel lecturers in spreading information about Asia, see Jeanette Roan's Envisioning Asia (2010).
#Buddhasinthewest
By 1887 T.H. McAllister was selling a set of 61 slides for a stock presentation entitled, "Around the World in 80 Minutes."
For a total of $30.25, the slides and lecture notes could be purchased by an aspiring lecturer so as to be "well prepared to describe the various scenes intelligently." 4/5
For a total of $30.25, the slides and lecture notes could be purchased by an aspiring lecturer so as to be "well prepared to describe the various scenes intelligently." 4/5
November 17, 2025 at 9:07 PM
By 1887 T.H. McAllister was selling a set of 61 slides for a stock presentation entitled, "Around the World in 80 Minutes."
For a total of $30.25, the slides and lecture notes could be purchased by an aspiring lecturer so as to be "well prepared to describe the various scenes intelligently." 4/5
For a total of $30.25, the slides and lecture notes could be purchased by an aspiring lecturer so as to be "well prepared to describe the various scenes intelligently." 4/5
As the Victorian era progressed, there was increasing demand for visual education and moral entertainments, and the illustrated travelogue reflected such interests.
We might find the past splendor of Asia, as seen through its monuments, contrasted with its then-current political strife. 3/5
We might find the past splendor of Asia, as seen through its monuments, contrasted with its then-current political strife. 3/5
November 17, 2025 at 9:07 PM
As the Victorian era progressed, there was increasing demand for visual education and moral entertainments, and the illustrated travelogue reflected such interests.
We might find the past splendor of Asia, as seen through its monuments, contrasted with its then-current political strife. 3/5
We might find the past splendor of Asia, as seen through its monuments, contrasted with its then-current political strife. 3/5
A typical trans-Pacific cruise of the era would port in Yokohama, a short day trip away from the colossal Kamakura Daibutsu.
An image projected onto a wall or screen would enliven the presentation and provide visual details impossible to elaborate through words alone. 2/5
An image projected onto a wall or screen would enliven the presentation and provide visual details impossible to elaborate through words alone. 2/5
November 17, 2025 at 9:07 PM
A typical trans-Pacific cruise of the era would port in Yokohama, a short day trip away from the colossal Kamakura Daibutsu.
An image projected onto a wall or screen would enliven the presentation and provide visual details impossible to elaborate through words alone. 2/5
An image projected onto a wall or screen would enliven the presentation and provide visual details impossible to elaborate through words alone. 2/5
By the 1890s it was possible to browse American newspapers and see advertisements for informal lectures on countries around the world.
Occupying church halls or town theaters, returning travelers often used “magic lantern” slides to illustrate their captivating travel narratives. 🧵
🗃️ 📜 #Japan
Occupying church halls or town theaters, returning travelers often used “magic lantern” slides to illustrate their captivating travel narratives. 🧵
🗃️ 📜 #Japan
November 17, 2025 at 9:07 PM
By the 1890s it was possible to browse American newspapers and see advertisements for informal lectures on countries around the world.
Occupying church halls or town theaters, returning travelers often used “magic lantern” slides to illustrate their captivating travel narratives. 🧵
🗃️ 📜 #Japan
Occupying church halls or town theaters, returning travelers often used “magic lantern” slides to illustrate their captivating travel narratives. 🧵
🗃️ 📜 #Japan
The first 108 Buddhas in the West posts are now archived, tagged, and easy to browse! 🔍 🗺
Thank you to everyone for the support! 🙏
👉 tinyurl.com/4kmcwp87
Thank you to everyone for the support! 🙏
👉 tinyurl.com/4kmcwp87
November 16, 2025 at 6:09 PM
The first 108 Buddhas in the West posts are now archived, tagged, and easy to browse! 🔍 🗺
Thank you to everyone for the support! 🙏
👉 tinyurl.com/4kmcwp87
Thank you to everyone for the support! 🙏
👉 tinyurl.com/4kmcwp87
The thirteen-story Potala was based upon early Tibetan castles and fortified camps, but soon was seen by many as a symbol of Tibet itself.
To read the “The World’s Strangest Capital" (without the panorama insert), see here: tinyurl.com/5fd596mx
#Buddhainthewest
To read the “The World’s Strangest Capital" (without the panorama insert), see here: tinyurl.com/5fd596mx
#Buddhainthewest
November 14, 2025 at 4:20 PM
The thirteen-story Potala was based upon early Tibetan castles and fortified camps, but soon was seen by many as a symbol of Tibet itself.
To read the “The World’s Strangest Capital" (without the panorama insert), see here: tinyurl.com/5fd596mx
#Buddhainthewest
To read the “The World’s Strangest Capital" (without the panorama insert), see here: tinyurl.com/5fd596mx
#Buddhainthewest
A rare photo by White of Thubten Choekyi Nyima, the 9th Panchen Lama of Tibet. /10
November 14, 2025 at 4:20 PM
A rare photo by White of Thubten Choekyi Nyima, the 9th Panchen Lama of Tibet. /10
This photo was taken at Khamba Dzong, in Sikkim, where Youghusband planned to negotiate his entrance into Lhasa. The failure of talks with Tibetan officials eventually led to the forceful and bloody advance of Youghusband into Tibet. /9
November 14, 2025 at 4:20 PM
This photo was taken at Khamba Dzong, in Sikkim, where Youghusband planned to negotiate his entrance into Lhasa. The failure of talks with Tibetan officials eventually led to the forceful and bloody advance of Youghusband into Tibet. /9
White also visited a Buddhist convent in Sikkim. The striking sheep's wool hats were dyed red. /8
November 14, 2025 at 4:20 PM
White also visited a Buddhist convent in Sikkim. The striking sheep's wool hats were dyed red. /8
According to White's estimate, there were 500,000 monks living in 1026 monasteries in Tibet. /7
November 14, 2025 at 4:20 PM
According to White's estimate, there were 500,000 monks living in 1026 monasteries in Tibet. /7
White also visited sites outside of Lhasa, including the Lhalung Monastery. /6
November 14, 2025 at 4:20 PM
White also visited sites outside of Lhasa, including the Lhalung Monastery. /6
Another photo depicts the interior of Nachung Monastery, home of the Nachung Oracle. White comments it was, "by far the most charming of the monasteries near Lhasa."/5
November 14, 2025 at 4:20 PM
Another photo depicts the interior of Nachung Monastery, home of the Nachung Oracle. White comments it was, "by far the most charming of the monasteries near Lhasa."/5
The first photo in the article shows the Western Gate to Lhasa, known as the Pargo Kaling. The structure was a large stūpa with a walkway cut through the middle. /4
November 14, 2025 at 4:20 PM
The first photo in the article shows the Western Gate to Lhasa, known as the Pargo Kaling. The structure was a large stūpa with a walkway cut through the middle. /4