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A traditional Tibetan book has two covers that are used to enclose stacked unbound paper pages. The book is then wrapped in fabric to protect the pages from separation, dust, and smoke. The carved and painted decoration of this book cover is typical of work done in the thirteenth century. Such covers frequently display geometric patterns and have some shallow carving. They are usually varnished and thus appear glossy although they are created with the same mineral pigments as Tibetan scroll paintings.
Book cover
OriginTibet
Date13th century
Dimensions1 1/2 × 28 3/4 × 11 5/8 in.
MediumWood with pigments
Classification(s)
Credit LineRubin Museum of Art
Object numberC2006.27.1
Himalayan Art Resources Number65641
Project Himalayan Arthttps://projecthimalayanart.rubinmuseum.org/exhibition/materials-and-technologies/carving-in-stone-and-wood/book-cover/
DescriptionWood book covers often received elaborate treatment in Tibet, reflecting the importance of the texts that they protected. Hardwood is relatively rare in many areas of Tibet, and the thick pieces of wood used for each book cover represented great effort and expense.A traditional Tibetan book has two covers that are used to enclose stacked unbound paper pages. The book is then wrapped in fabric to protect the pages from separation, dust, and smoke. The carved and painted decoration of this book cover is typical of work done in the thirteenth century. Such covers frequently display geometric patterns and have some shallow carving. They are usually varnished and thus appear glossy although they are created with the same mineral pigments as Tibetan scroll paintings.
Not on view
mid-18th century
Mid-19th century
18th - 19th century
18th - 19th century
ca. 16th century
16th century
19th century
18th century
16th century