A GILT-COPPER MANUSCRIPT COVER 19th century

A GILT-COPPER MANUSCRIPT COVER 19th century Decorated with three deities, Manjushri, Padmasambhava and Avalokiteshvara, each seated cross-legged on a base and holding their respective implements, all reserved on a scrolling foliate background, with the sides encircled by a band of lotus petals, the wood base lacquered in red and painted with three 'fierce deities' in gold. 30.5cm (12 in) long. Footnotes: Please note this Lot is to be sold at No Reserve. 本拍品不設底價 十九世紀 銅鎏金護經板 Provenance: Ben Janssens Oriental Art, London 來源： 倫敦古董商 Ben Janssens Oriental Art The traditional scriptures were written on long, rectangular Tibetan paper and wrapped in yellow cloth as loose pages. To bind them into a book, two protective wooden boards, slightly larger than the scriptures, were carefully crafted from high-quality wood. One of the boards, as seen in the present lot, was either carved or painted with Buddhist themes or auspicious patterns and placed on the cover of the scripture, while the other was placed at the bottom of the entire book. The bundle was then tied with leather straps and secured with specially made metal clasps. This method not only served to protect and decorate the scriptures but also made them easier to carry and distribute. See a related gilt-lacquered wood manuscript cover, 14th century, which was sold at Bonhams New York, 27 September 2020, lot 519 For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com For further information about this lot please visit the lot listing