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Guardians of the Sacred Word

Upper and lower covers from an unidentified manuscript
carved and painted wood , Tibet , circa twelfth century , 10x60 cm

This pair of book covers closely follow the eastern Indian book format, both in size and design. The outer surface of the upper cover is carved and painted showing a kirttimukha (face of glory), with hanging jewels and scroll issuing from its opened mouth. The outer border is painted with the concentric circle motif seen on the inner face of the preceding entry, (not shown here, no.1 in the catalogue). The kirttimukha has horns and teeth painted in silver, a colour featured on many early Tibetan book covers but rarely found in the thangkas of the period, and apparently coming from no established tradition in India or Nepal. The inner face is painted in the manner often seen in Indian manuscripts, with Vighnantaka, Amogasiddhi (?), Shakyamuni Buddha, Maitreya and the bodhisattva Sadaksari; all are presented against a plain red arch. The dark blue background is decorated with the hanging jewel and random flower design often found in eastern Indian manuscript illuminations. a The lower cover has suffered considerable damage to its inner face; however, Prajnaparamita may be identified in the centre, flanked by ten kneeling Buddha figures. The outer surface is virtually identical to that of the upper cover, except that the kirttimukha is replaced by the vase.

text and images © Rossi & Rossi

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