BURMA, LATE 19TH CENTURY
A complete Kammavaca Pali Manuscript consisting of sixteen lacquered cloth leaves with two lacquered wooden (teak) covers. All leaves are richly decorated in gilt on both sides with running scrolls and kneeling spiritual figures with hands clasped in reverence.
The Kammavaca is one of the most important Burmese religious texts and was in this form traditionally commissioned by the family on auspicious occasions such as family member being ordained. Lacquered pages of the manuscript are often made from the fabric of monk’s discarded robes. Text is written in slightly raised Burmese ‘tamarind-seed’ square script and in traditional Pali language of Theravada Buddhist Canon. Manuscript is a collection of extracts from the Vinaya Pitaka (Basket of Discipline) – the oldest scripture describing the rules governing monastic life and daily affairs of Buddhist monks and nuns.
Good condition with some loss of gilding commensurate with age. Lightly chipped corners on some of the pages as per photographs.
Dimensions:
Each page measures 56×13.5 cm
Wooden covers measure 58.5×13.5 cm
Free Shipping Worldwide
