Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 19

Nepalese Carved and Painted Buddhist Manuscript Cover, 15th Century

$9,000
£6,828.99
€7,808.34
CA$12,570.56
A$13,976.75
CHF 7,297.89
MX$170,131.10
NOK 93,117.88
SEK 87,247
DKK 58,275.10
Shipping
Retrieving quote...
The 1stDibs Promise:
Authenticity Guarantee,
Money-Back Guarantee,
24-Hour Cancellation

About the Item

A fine and unusual wooden book or manuscript cover with a carved exterior and painted interior, 15th century, Nepal. The exterior of the manuscript cover exuberantly carved with a figure of Shakyamuni, the Historical Buddha, to the center, flanked by two spectacular makara with raised trunks and curved horns. The remarkable scrolling vegetal designs behind them are actually their tails. Beyond the makara, two opposing leogryphs are carved. Originally fully gilt, now with only remnants of the gilding remaining. The interior of the cover brightly painted with images of the Buddhas of the Three Times, Dipamkara (the past), Shakymuni (the present), and Maitreya (the future). The paintings almost certainly of a later date, circa 18th-19th century. Most book covers of this period are Tibetan, and this one very well could be. However, the dense vegetal decoration is highly reminiscent of artwork from the Khasa Malla kingdom of Nepal. Additionally, the use of the leogryph also points to a Nepalese origin. Manuscript or book covers were used to protect sacred texts and illuminated manuscripts.
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 11.5 in (29.21 cm)Width: 30.25 in (76.84 cm)Depth: 1 in (2.54 cm)
  • Style:
    Tibetan (Of the Period)
  • Materials and Techniques:
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    15th Century
  • Condition:
    Additions or alterations made to the original: The interior painting of a later date, probably 18th/19th century. Wear consistent with age and use. Minor fading. In very good condition for age. The edges of the cover with some minor chips (please see photos). The gilding mostly worn. The painting to the interior of a later date.
  • Seller Location:
    Austin, TX
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU894714984712

More From This Seller

View All
Large Tibetan Red Painted Storage Trunk with Kirtimukha, circa 1900, Tibet
Located in Austin, TX
A powerful and impressive large and tall Tibetan orange red lacquer painted storage trunk featuring a Kirtimukha, Face of Glory, late 19th or early 20th century, Tibet. The large storage chest...
Category

Early 20th Century Tibetan Tibetan Furniture

Materials

Iron

Large Chinese Carved Gilt Wood Story Panel, "Romance of the Three Kingdoms"
Located in Austin, TX
An unusually large vintage Chinese carved and pierced gilt wood story panel, early to mid 20th century, Southern China. The intricately carved panel depicts images from "The Romance...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Qing Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Metal

Nepalese Filigree and Stone and Glass Inlay Votive Plaque, circa 1900
Located in Austin, TX
A fine and impressive Nepalese gilt copper filigree votive plaque inset with coral, turquoise, and colored glass "gems", 19th/20th century, Nepal. This large votive plaque would ori...
Category

Antique Early 1900s Nepalese Metalwork

Materials

Stone, Coral, Copper

Chinese Carved Longyan Wood Stand, Late Qing Dynasty
Located in Austin, TX
An exquisite late Qing dynasty display Stand of longyan wood, carved as a miniature "kang" table. The center panel features an amazing grain that delights the eye, while a soft glo...
Category

Antique Early 1900s Chinese Qing Scholar's Objects

Materials

Fruitwood

Straits Chinese Carved Hardwood Bamboo Inlay Display Stand, circa 1900
Located in Austin, TX
A remarkable straits Chinese (also known as Peranakan or Nyonya) carved hardwood and bamboo inlaid and embellished table-form stand, originally for dis...
Category

Early 20th Century Indonesian Qing Scholar's Objects

Materials

Lacquer, Bamboo, Hardwood

Shan Burmese Carved, Lacquered, Gilt Wood Buddha, 18th Century, Burma
Located in Austin, TX
A stately Shan Burmese seated Buddha of carved hardwood, lacquered and gilt, 18th century or earlier, Shan States, Burma (Myanmar). The dignified Buddha sits slightly pitched forwar...
Category

Antique 18th Century Burmese Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Hardwood, Lacquer

You May Also Like

14thC Tibetan Book Cover. Superb example- Unique Early Tibet Relic
Located in Ukiah, CA
14thC Tibetan Book Cover. Superb example. Evidence of likely having been turned into a shelf or other piece of furniture during the Cultural Revolution to hide it from being destroye...
Category

Antique 15th Century and Earlier Tibetan Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Wood

Chinese Folk Carved Panel, circa 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
Dated to the 19th century, this flat wooden panel is curiously etched with geometric patterns and dense triangle-work. Its original use remains unknown, perhaps it was a divination t...
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Chinese Qing Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Wood

Eastern Carved Plaque With Genre Figures
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Perhaps made in India. A long plaque carved in low relief in a primitive style featuring figures in landscapes with various animals. The borders have leaf motifs framing three arched...
Category

20th Century Indian Tribal Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Wood

19th Century, Mandalay, Antique Burmese Wood Carving Panel
Located in Sampantawong, TH
Burmese wood carving panel. Age: Burma, Mandalay Period, 19th Century Size: Length 57 cm / width 44.7 cm / thickness 3 cm. Condition: nice condition over...
Category

Antique 19th Century Burmese Antiquities

Materials

Wood

Japanese Carved Wood Architectural Wood Panel 18th Century
Located in Douglas Manor, NY
Japanese 18th century carved wood architectural panel.
Category

Antique Late 18th Century Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Hardwood

Chinese Folk Carved Panel, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
Dated to the 19th century, this flat wooden panel is curiously etched with geometric patterns, simple leaf motifs, and a triangle-work border. Its original use remains unknown - perh...
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Chinese Qing Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Wood