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Guardians of the Sacred Word

Upper cover from an unidentified manuscript, marked with the letter ba, the fifteenth letter of the Tibetan alphabet
carved and painted wood , Tibet , 14th century , 28x70 cm

This cover has many similarities in style to the preceding entry (in the catalogue, not shown here). This type of decoration of the inner surface of the cover in gold on red is thought to have been common in the library of Sakya monastery. Here, the sixteen goddesses of worship dance to the music of the drums and instruments played by members of their group, as the rest of the ensemble present their offerings. They dance on lotus flowers within the scrolling foliage flowing from the jewelled amrita vase.

text and images © Rossi & Rossi

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