Burma, 19th century - Lot 418

Burma, 19th century Part of a Kammavaca, a Buddhist manuscript for the ordination of monks, comprising eight inscribed pages, two decorated pages and two lacquered wooden plates; the pages probably in gilded and red lacquered palm leaves, the inscribed texts in thick black lacquer, the decorated pages and plates decorated with animated vignettes of deities and stylized motifs. (Assembled in a frame, under glass; slight wear to decorated parts) Sheet size: 114.5 x 48.5 cm - Frame size: 131.5 x 65 cm Note: The kammavaka consisted of sixteen leaves inscribed in Palei on both sides, in Burmese script known as "tamarind seed", or "square script". They include passages from the Tipitaka, the canon of Theravada Buddhism, relating to the ordination of monks and various aspects of monastic life, and were offered to a monastery on the occasion of a son's entry as a novice or his ordination as a monk. Appraisal: Cabinet Ansas, Papillon de Léry, Paris.