Museum Gift of the Year: The Tibetan Buddhist Shrine

As 2017 Museum Gift of the Year, Studio International has chosen the Tibetan Buddhist Shrine, a magnificent donation by Dr Alice Kandell of more than 200 precious Buddhist artefacts to the Arthur M Sackler Gallery in Washington DC

Arthur M Sackler Gallery
Smithsonian Institution, Washington DC
On exhibit until 29 November 2020

by MIGUEL BENAVIDES

Studio International has chosen as 2017 Museum Gift of the Year the magnificent donation by Dr Alice Kandell of more than 200 precious Buddhist artefacts to the Arthur M Sackler Gallery on the Mall in Washington DC. Dr Kandell knew Dr and Mrs Sackler and, although many museums sought her collection, she determined that Tibetan culture would be best respected by the Smithsonian Institution, and scholarly studies on Tibetan history, customs and rituals will continue.

The Tibetan Buddhist Shrine Room from the Alice S. Kandell Collection. Gifts and promised gifts from the Alice S. Kandell Collection to the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC. Photograph by Miguel Benavides

To enter the Kandell Shrine Room is to be enveloped by a sacred atmosphere, with sounds of quiet chanting in the background and low lighting to resemble candles or lamps reflecting a gold glow from the many gilt-bronze Buddhas and other objects.

The Tibetan Buddhist Shrine Room from the Alice S. Kandell Collection. Gifts and promised gifts from the Alice S. Kandell Collection to the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC. Photograph by Miguel Benavides

Dr Kandell's gift to the nation was celebrated on 17 October when she was the guest of honour at an invitation-only dinner at the Smithsonian Castle, which also marked the 30th anniversary of the Arthur M Sackler Gallery. The accompanying photographs were taken on that occasion.

The Tibetan Buddhist Shrine Room from the Alice S. Kandell Collection. Gifts and promised gifts from the Alice S. Kandell Collection to the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC. Photograph by Miguel Benavides

The Tibetan Buddhist Shrine Room from the Alice S. Kandell Collection. Gifts and promised gifts from the Alice S. Kandell Collection to the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC. Photograph by Miguel Benavides

The Tibetan Buddhist Shrine Room from the Alice S. Kandell Collection. Gifts and promised gifts from the Alice S. Kandell Collection to the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC. Photograph by Miguel Benavides

The Tibetan Buddhist Shrine Room from the Alice S. Kandell Collection. Gifts and promised gifts from the Alice S. Kandell Collection to the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC. Photograph by Miguel Benavides

The Tibetan Buddhist Shrine Room from the Alice S. Kandell Collection. Gifts and promised gifts from the Alice S. Kandell Collection to the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC. Photograph by Miguel Benavides

The Tibetan Buddhist Shrine Room from the Alice S. Kandell Collection. Gifts and promised gifts from the Alice S. Kandell Collection to the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC. Photograph by Miguel Benavides

The Tibetan Buddhist Shrine Room from the Alice S. Kandell Collection. Gifts and promised gifts from the Alice S. Kandell Collection to the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC. Photograph by Miguel Benavides

Dr. Alice Kandell and Dame Jillian Sackler inside the Kandell Tibetan Shrine Room at the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery. Photograph by Miguel Benavides.