Astasahasrika Prajnaparamita thumbnail 1
Not currently on display at the V&A

Astasahasrika Prajnaparamita

Painting
c. 12th century (made)
Artist/Maker
Unknown
Place of origin
Bengal (made)

Seated Mahasri Tara. Illustrated palm-leaf folio from the Astasahasrikaprajnaparamita manuscript; from the Vredenburg Manuscript. According to the colophon, this manuscript was donated by a lay devotee, Udaya Sinha, in the 36th year of the reign of the Pala king Ramapala, c.1120; probably Nalanda monastry, Bihar, Pala period.


Object details

Categories
Buddhism
Manuscripts
Paintings
Illustration
Religion
Bonita Trust Indian Paintings Cataloguing Project
SCRAN
Object type
Painting
TitleAstasahasrika Prajnaparamita (popular title)
Materials and techniques
Painted in gouache and ink on palm leaf
Palm Leaf
Paint
Gouache
Ink
Painted
Brief description
Manuscript, Asthasahasrika Prajnaparamita, palm leaf, painted, Bengal, c. 12th century
Physical description
Folio from an Asthasahasrika Prajnaparamita manuscript, in gouache and ink on palm leaf. Padmapani, a form of Avalokiteshvara, holds a white lotus and is attended by the goddess Tara and the guardian deity Hayagriva.



Dimensions
  • Length: 53cm
  • Width: 6.3cm
Style
Pala Period
Copy number
Folio 178
Object history
Acquired from Mr T Harris, 39 Westmark Point, Roehampton, London SW15, England
Historical context
From the E Vredenburg collection
Summary
Seated Mahasri Tara. Illustrated palm-leaf folio from the Astasahasrikaprajnaparamita manuscript; from the Vredenburg Manuscript. According to the colophon, this manuscript was donated by a lay devotee, Udaya Sinha, in the 36th year of the reign of the Pala king Ramapala, c.1120; probably Nalanda monastry, Bihar, Pala period.
Bibliographic references
  • Guy, John & Swallow, Deborah (eds): 'Arts of India: 1550-1900', text by Rosemary Crill, John Guy, Veronica Murphy, Susan Stronge and Deborah Swallow, V&A Publications, London, 1990, p30, no 16. Guy, John: 'Indian Temple Sculpture', V &A Publications, London, 2007, p46, plate 48. E Vredenburg: 'The Continuity of Pictorial Tradition in the Art of India', Rupam No 1, Calcutta, 1920, figures 7 & 11 Losty, J P: 'The Art of the Book in India', p32 Losty, J P in Bautze-Picron, C (ed): 'Essays in Honour of James C Harle', New Delhi, 1990, pp 189-200 Bussagli, Mario: 'La Miniatura Indiana', Milan, 1966, plates 1 & 2
  • Topsfield, Andrew, An introduction to Indian Court Painting, H.M.S.O., London, 1984, 0112903835 p. 7. cat. no. 1
  • Ayers, J. Oriental Art in the Victoria and Albert Museum, London 1983, ISBN 0-85667-120-7 p. 65
  • Irwin, John C., Indian Art, Victoria and Albert Museum, London: H. M. Stationery Office, 1968 pl. 25
  • Irwin, John, C., A Brief Guide to Indian Art, H.M.S.O. 1962 fig. 9
  • Irwin, John; Indian Art: Victoria & Albert Museum departmental guide, H.M.S.O. ISBN 0 905209117, 1978 fig. 10, pp. 10-11
Collection
South & South East Asia Collection
Accession number
IS.8-1958

About this object record

Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.

You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.

Suggest feedback

Record createdDecember 20, 1999
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O18839/astasahasrika-prajnaparamita-painting-unknown/
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest