10th Mar, 2023 10:00
TWO-DAY AUCTION - Fine Chinese Art / 中國藝術集珍 / Buddhism & Hinduism
647
AN ILLUSTRATED ‘RAMAYANA’ FOLDING MANUSCRIPT, PARABAIK, BURMA, 19TH CENTURY
Sold for €1,950
including Buyer's Premium
Ink and watercolors on paper. The accordion-style manuscript comprising 94 leaves inscribed with calligraphy, 12 of which are finely painted with scenes from the Ramayana. The front and back covers lacquered black.
Provenance: From the collection of Jean Claude Moreau-Gobard, Paris, who was a French collector and dealer specializing in Asian art, born into a family of antiques experts in Paris. He was active from the 1950s until the 1980s. Today, the family business is continued by Juliette Moreau-Gobard.
Condition: Good condition with some wear, small losses, minor creases and soiling.
Dimensions: Size 14 x 67.5 cm (each page)
Expert’s note (added 02.3.2023): This lot is a so-called Phra Malai manuscript from Siam. The quality of the script and illustrations is of high standard. The colophon has also been well-designed, although the writing and orthography show a few peculiar details. The foundation date of this manuscript most likely refers to a new moon day, Sunday, April 7th, 1872. There is a slight discrepancy here, as the fifth lunar month of the Siamese calendar had only 29 days instead of 30. However, such deviations of one day were not uncommon in documents of that time.
Regarding the patron, the information provided is rather unusual. According to the text written in the first person, the patron of the manuscript was named "Dit[sa] Chong Sale" and held the title "Phra Da." The personal name is very specific and could perhaps refer to a non-Siamese/foreigner (?).
The patron paid ten tamlueng for the creation of this manuscript. Additionally, the patron expressed his wish to attain Nibbana, or if that were not directly possible due to insufficient merit, to not experience any unpleasant circumstances in any of his future rebirths. The word which I have translated as "unpleasant" in this context also means "destitute." Thus, the foundation of this manuscript was an investment in the future.
The earliest known parabaiks date to the mid-18th century and seem to have originated mostly from Mandalay. Originally, they were made for patrons associated with the court, but later, they were also commissioned by wealthier Burmese, to mark special occasions and ritual events.
Literature comparison:
Compare a related Mandalay style parabaik, dated to the 19th century, in the British Museum, registration number 1946,1214,0.1. Compare a related parabaik, attributed to the court of King Mindon or Thibaw, or associated workshops, dated 1870s-1880s, in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, accession number 2017.209.
Ink and watercolors on paper. The accordion-style manuscript comprising 94 leaves inscribed with calligraphy, 12 of which are finely painted with scenes from the Ramayana. The front and back covers lacquered black.
Provenance: From the collection of Jean Claude Moreau-Gobard, Paris, who was a French collector and dealer specializing in Asian art, born into a family of antiques experts in Paris. He was active from the 1950s until the 1980s. Today, the family business is continued by Juliette Moreau-Gobard.
Condition: Good condition with some wear, small losses, minor creases and soiling.
Dimensions: Size 14 x 67.5 cm (each page)
Expert’s note (added 02.3.2023): This lot is a so-called Phra Malai manuscript from Siam. The quality of the script and illustrations is of high standard. The colophon has also been well-designed, although the writing and orthography show a few peculiar details. The foundation date of this manuscript most likely refers to a new moon day, Sunday, April 7th, 1872. There is a slight discrepancy here, as the fifth lunar month of the Siamese calendar had only 29 days instead of 30. However, such deviations of one day were not uncommon in documents of that time.
Regarding the patron, the information provided is rather unusual. According to the text written in the first person, the patron of the manuscript was named "Dit[sa] Chong Sale" and held the title "Phra Da." The personal name is very specific and could perhaps refer to a non-Siamese/foreigner (?).
The patron paid ten tamlueng for the creation of this manuscript. Additionally, the patron expressed his wish to attain Nibbana, or if that were not directly possible due to insufficient merit, to not experience any unpleasant circumstances in any of his future rebirths. The word which I have translated as "unpleasant" in this context also means "destitute." Thus, the foundation of this manuscript was an investment in the future.
The earliest known parabaiks date to the mid-18th century and seem to have originated mostly from Mandalay. Originally, they were made for patrons associated with the court, but later, they were also commissioned by wealthier Burmese, to mark special occasions and ritual events.
Literature comparison:
Compare a related Mandalay style parabaik, dated to the 19th century, in the British Museum, registration number 1946,1214,0.1. Compare a related parabaik, attributed to the court of King Mindon or Thibaw, or associated workshops, dated 1870s-1880s, in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, accession number 2017.209.
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