Book cover, carved wood, Tibet, 18th century
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
18th century
Book cover, of carved cedarwood, painted in colours and gold. Probably the cover for a volume of the Kangyur. The front has a finely carved panel, gilt and picked out in touches of colour. The principle figures represent the 'Three precious ones'; the word ( Dharma ) in the centre, with the Buddha on the left, and the Community ( sangha ) on the right.
The smaller figures seated upon lotuses are the eight Dhyani Bodhisattvas. The interspaces are filled with scrolling flame-ornament, and along the top are the Eight Glorious Emblems. Painted on the back with conventional lotuses in squares, scrolls etc. in yellow, green and blue. The wide outer margins are brick-red.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Physical characteristics
- Material
- Cedarwood, carved and painted gilt
- Dimensions
- Length: 73 cm; Height: 29.8 cm (Measurements converted from departmental register.)
Technical characteristics
- Place recorded
- Tibet
Identification
- Source note
- Transcribed from the Victoria and Albert Museum, London collection record for this single object (sentences kept verbatim apart from removed sale or rarity wording); how far it represents a wider collectible type has not been independently verified.
- Candidate id
- vam-O456562
- Museum object name
- Book cover
- Holding institution
- Victoria and Albert Museum, London
- Museum object number
- IM.258-1916
- Museum system number
- O456562
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.
Research required
- Research required: confirm the wider type, maker and dating against a specialist reference; this entry documents one recorded example.