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Hello, I just found this in a box of items given to me by a friend who has since died. It is about 3" thick, and about 20" long. The leaves are gold-edged and there are two holes that go all the way through from to the painted red wood outside. I think he gave it to me because he knows that I was reading about buddhism, but I don't recognize this writing. The writing seems to have been carved into the leaves, rather than written.
I am very intrigued by it, and would love to know where it came from and what it says. Any help out there?
Thank you,
Amy

Hello Amy,
This appears to be a palm leaf manuscript, which was a traditional form for copying and circulating Sutras and other Buddhist writings in several areas of South and Southeast Asia. Perhaps a real expert like Anita can identify the script.
Best regards,
Bill H.

Dear Amy

In ancient times the Pali Canon was written on thin slices of wood and palm leaves. The 'pages' are kept on top of each other by two thin sticks, which go through little holes in the scripture. The scripture is wrapped in cloth and stored inside the box.

In SE Asia we use sun dry palm leaves, then use steel needle to engrave Buddha scripture in Pali on them.

Your scripture is made of palm leaves and they were engraved Burmese language on them. Two wooden plate on top and bottom are coated with Myanmar red lacquer. It's a varnish resin derived from a tree commonly known as the varnish tree. But the red lacquer will normally numerous coats of lacquer, first black, then red, were applied. Your Scripture has no black as a foundation, it's possibly a paint.

Possibly old, but the age is unknown.

Have fun
Anita

Thank you both for your replies! This is really interesting stuff. I appreciate you time and attention to my question.

It is from Myanmar, I believed.
We called it "Payapike".


URL Title :the one and only gateway to Myanmar art.

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