Astasahasrika Prajnaparamita
Painting
ca. 1112 (made)
ca. 1112 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Folio from an Asthasahasrika Prajnaparamita manuscript, in gouache and ink on palm leaf.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Astasahasrika Prajnaparamita (popular title) |
| Materials and techniques | Painted in gouache and ink on palm leaf |
| Brief description | Manuscript, Asthasahasrika Prajnaparamita, palm leaf, painted, Bengal, ca. 1112 |
| Physical description | Folio from an Asthasahasrika Prajnaparamita manuscript, in gouache and ink on palm leaf. |
| Dimensions |
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| Style | |
| Copy number | Folio 89 |
| Gallery label | PAGE FROM A MANUSCRIPT OF THE ASHTASAHASRIKA PRAJNAPARAMITA SUTRA: THE BUDDHA VAJRASATTVA (CENTRE) AND THE BODHISATTVAS VAJRAPANI (LEFT) AND AKASHAGARBHA (RIGHT)
Opaque watercolour and ink on palm leaf
Bengal, c. 1112
IS.6-1958
The Ashtasahasrika Prajnaparamita Sutra (Perfection of Wisdom in 8000 Verses) is an important Mahayana Buddhist scripture. Udaya Sinha commissioned this manuscript of the sacred text for a monastery for the benefit of the souls of his parents.
Vajrasattva (centre), known as the Diamond Being, is the Adi or primordial Buddha. He holds the vajra – the diamond sceptre or thunderbolt – in his right hand and a bell in the left. He is flanked by bodhisattvas, beings who postpone their full enlightenment to help others achieve enlightenment.
The paintings were not made to illustrate the text but to protect it from harm and attract blessings. The holes in the palm leaf were used to bind the manuscript with cords. It would originally have been protected by wooden covers.(01/08/2017) |
| Object history | Acquired from Mr T Harris, 39 Westmark Point, Roehampton, London SW15, England |
| Historical context | From the E Vredenburg collection |
| Production | India |
| Bibliographic reference | E Vredenburg: 'The Continuity of Pictorial Tradition in the Art of India', Rupam No 1, Calcutta, 1920, figure 5
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
Bhaattacharya: 'Buddhist Iconography', p9
Gordon, A K: 'The Iconography of Tietan Lamaism', p62 |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | IS.6-1958 |
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| Record created | June 25, 2009 |
| Record URL |
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