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1. A red and gold lacquered manuscript cover Nepal circa 16th Century Dimensions: 9 1/3" x 28 ¼" (23.5 x 78.5cm) |
The exterior covered with gold with lacquer images of the five Tathagatas – Ratnasambhava, Akshobya, Vairocana, Amitabha and Amogasiddhi, arranged in parallel rows, each seated in dhyanasana on a lotus throne encircled by a scrolling foliate tendril. The reverse is of brilliant red lacquer with four parallel rows of 16 (64 in all) diminutive images of Amitabha – the Buddha of Long Life in gold and black line. The outer edges of the cover are decorated with lotus flowers, the principal edge carved in low relief. For similar see ‘The Kemper Collection of Himalayan Art” Christies Amsterdam October 1994 lot 80. Detail: reverse Detail: close-up view |