Manuscript of excerpts and illustrations from Buddhist texts (detail)
Approx. 1800-1850
Burma
Lacquer and gilding on stiffened cloth, with wooden covers
Gift of Jared C. Ede in memory of Emily Mead Baldwin, 2008.90

This manuscript, though it follows a common format, has unusually rich and interesting decorations, including two pages covered with scenes from the life of the Buddha, which can be seen framed on the wall above. All the scenes relate to Prince Siddhartha, the Buddha-to-be, leaving his family and his paternal home, and renouncing his princely status to embark on his spiritual quest. These scenes are appropriate for a manuscript having to do with the ordination of a young man who has similarly left home and set aside worldly attachments to become a monk.

The text pages are adorned with birds and animals amid curling vines. At the sides of some pages are dancers with theatrical masks—also representing various birds and animals—worn high on their heads. Around them float winged cherubs presumably derived from the decoration of European books.