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2. Kammawassa chest with manuscript, wrapper, cord and place marker Burma Mandalay period, ca 1870s wood, lacquer, gold leaf, glass Base:34" x 18" x 7.5" Chest: 27" x 8" x 5" |
Kammawassa manuscripts are usually commissioned upon the entrance of a child to the priesthood. They contain at least one of the nine khandakas from the Vinaya Pitaka, each a specific ceremony associated with Theravadin Buddhism. The manuscripts can be made on lacquered sheets of palm leaf, cloth, metal, and in rare instances, ivory. The calligraphy used is square Pali which is written in tamarind seed lacquer and is unique to these manuscripts. If the family is wealthy enough, a chest to store the manuscript will also be made. The example shown here come in two parts, with the base constructed with 4 nayas as legs. The chest is decorated with thick thayo (lacquer onlay) in four pictorial panels on the top and decorative motifs throughout. The keyhole on the front is centered between a horse and British style lion. The chest also is embellished with glass inlay.(hmanzi shwe cha) Much of the gilding has worn off leaving a rich reddish-brown lacquer color. Most chests found today have geometric hamnzi shwe cha decoration. Examples such as this are rare. The manuscript is on sheets of tin and is encased in cloth wrapper and cord with a place marker. The set, though married from parts, is complete. Detail: Top view Detail: Contents of chest. |