Most of the elements employed on this cover are recognisable in isolation, but assembled as they are, the artistic innovation of the Tibetan craftsmen in this period becomes wonderfully apparent. The central field is dominated by two golden lozenge forms, in the centre of which is a red jewel of compressed oval shape. The red jewel is positioned where a cord would have passed in an Indian cover, and may in fact refer to this practice. The shape of the jewel closely resembles Pala examples.1 The perfectly symmetrical golden diamond forms are offset by engagingly irregular silver star formations behind. The panel is further adorned by concentric circles, with gold and silver centres, on a red field. The flamboyant design bordering the central panel is also seen on the shorter borders of another cover (no. 3 in the catalogue), where evidence for an early date is more apparent.2