Āryāstasahasrikāyaprajñāpāramitā sūtra (The Perfection of Wisdom in 8,000 Lines). Nepal 1511.
Department of Oriental and Judaica Collections, Nepal 152

Cover and pile of text sheets on the wrapping	Wrapping, pile of text sheets, and cover

Covers and sheet with text and a picture of Buddha

Buddhist Nepalese manuscript in Sanskrit with two decorated covers and wrapping. The manuscript dates from 1511.
In India and the Himalayas books of palm leaves, bark, or paper were protected by covers. The covers were made of wood, ivory, and/or metal. This manuscript on blue paper has two wooden covers with painted illustrations. On the outside, the covers are decorated with vines, and the inside shows scenes from the Jataka stories about the life of Buddha.
For further protection the manuscript and the decorated covers were wrapped in a cotton cloth. The cloth is very worn in both ends where the corners of the covers touch it.

The covers are 9.7 x 44.7 cm. The pile of manuscript leaves is 7 cm high.

© Det Kongelige Bibliotek 2004