The Cultural Monuments of Tibet

One word comes to mind when examining this box set on Tibet: monumental—in size, scope, depth, and beauty. Swiss art historian Henss spent more than 25 years and made countless visits to Tibet conducting research, but he also studied and incorporated historical literary sources and material from the West and China into his work. Covering more than 1,400 years of Tibet's cultural legacy, the book details petroglyphs and stone inscriptions, archaeological objects and sites, major historical (secular and religious) buildings, paintings, images, temple furnishings, and ritual objects. The first volume looks at the Central Tibetan Province of Ü, while the second addresses the southern Tibetan province of Tsang. The book is brought to life through the extraordinary color photos (many historical photographs are also included), architectural drawings, and extensive maps. A chronology of images used is included, as are glossaries of place names and geographic terms; personal and deity names, titles, and schools; Tibetan art and architecture terms; and general terms. Each chapter is followed by an extensive bibliography and notes.