Bernard (Theos C.) Collection - Tibet, 1936-1947

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Summary

Title:
Bernard (Theos C.) Collection - Tibet
Dates:
1936-1947
Creators:
Theos C. Bernard
Abstract:
Extent:
The Bernard (Theos C.) Collection contains one (1) accession (Acc.4737; Catalogued: #13-6825, 15-26913 to 15-29913, 9-21791 to 9-22136) and one (1) bankers box of supplementary documentation (DOC2004.1)
Language:
Preferred citation:

Bernard (Theos C.) Collection - Tibet. UC Berkeley, Phoebe A. Hearst Museum of Anthropology

Background

Scope and content:

The objects within the Bernard (Theos C.) accession (Acc.4737) include domestic items, musical instruments, ritual items, clothing, ornaments, and sheep skin samples. In regard to media, the Bernard accession contains black-and-white negatives, black-and-white photographs, phonograph records, and Buddhist scrolls pertaining to South and Southeast Asian subjects. The Bernard (Theos C.) Research Archive contains correspondence, registration materials, appraisal lists, inventories, receipts of delivery, etc. Additionally, the Bernard Research Archive houses various articles relevant to Theos Bernard's travels and Buddhist scholarship.

Biographical / historical:

Theos Casimir Bernard (1908-1947) was born on December 10, 1908 in California, United States. Bernard received a law degree from the University of Arizona in 1931 and a Master of Arts from Columbia in 1936. Bernard then spent a year traveling in India and Tibet, returning to the U.S. in 1937. Following his return, Bernard published a memoir titled "Penthouse of the Gods," along with other lectures series. He became well-known for his experiences and interest in Tibetan Buddhism. In 1941, Bernard and his wife, Ganna Walska, purchased land in Montecito, California which they named Tibetland. This property was intended to house Bernard's Tibetan collections and provide accommodations for visiting Tibetan lamas. Bernard and Walska divorced in 1946 and the property was renamed Lotusland. Bernard died in 1947 in Punjab, Pakistan. The Bernard (Theos C.) collection is currently housed at the Phoebe A. Hearst Museum of Anthropology; the Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive; and the Bancroft, C.V. Starr, and Doe libraries.

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Finding aid created by UC Berkeley, Phoebe A. Hearst Museum of Anthropology staff.
Date Prepared:
1936-1947
Date Encoded:
This finding aid was produced using Record Express for OAC5 on July 14, 2025, 2:54 p.m.

Access and use

Restrictions:

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Preferred citation:

Bernard (Theos C.) Collection - Tibet. UC Berkeley, Phoebe A. Hearst Museum of Anthropology

Location of this collection:
103 Anthropology and Art Practice Building
Berkeley, CA 94720-3712, US
Contact:
(510) 643-6390
PAHMA-Registration@berkeley.edu
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