A CARVED AND PAINTED WOOD SUTRA COVER TIBET, CIRCA 1200

A CARVED AND PAINTED WOOD SUTRA COVER TIBET, CIRCA 1200 Himalayan Art Resources item no. 1885 5 3/8 x 20 5/8 in. (13.7 x 52.4 cm) Footnotes: 西藏 約1200年 木雕彩繪護經板 As noted by Weldon, 'The carved and painted outer surface of this cover shows the often-seen foliate scroll with a makara in the centre. Here, two vigorously carved leonine beasts are introduced, depicted amongst the scroll on the outer border. These animals are commonly seen in early book covers (Zwalf, Buddhism: Art and Faith, 1985, p. 142, no. 196). The painted inner surface is dominated by two circles, each painted with the delightful design of a gold and silver goose, whose necks and heads are thrown back and juxtaposed one over the other. While the outer surface exhibits a somewhat standard design, albeit deeply and confidently carved, the inner face demonstrates a more playful rendering of traditional Buddhist iconography.' A related 13th-century cover with geese in the MacLean Collection, Chicago, is published in Selig Brown, Protecting Wisdom, 2012, pp. 98-9, no. 18; HAR 11284. Published David Weldon, Early Tibetan Manuscript Covers: 12th-15th Century, Rossi & Rossi Ltd., London, 1996, no. 9. Provenance Private European Collection Acquired from Rossi & Rossi Ltd., London, September 1996 For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com For further information about this lot please visit the lot listing