19thC Kammavaca Burmese Buddhist Manuscript EOU59

 

Over a century old, this sacred religious manuscript is known as kammawa-sa in Burmese or Kammavaca in Pali, the language in which this text was written. Kammavaca are one of the most beautiful of all Burmese manuscripts and this example is amongst the rarest artifacts available in our gallery.

 

These opulently decorated manuscripts are significant cultural and religious objects and are extremely hard to come by nowadays. The tradition is now all but lost and only the oldest of monks and students of Pali are able to read them. They were usually commissioned as works of merit when a son entered the monkhood of a Buddhist temple. Due to their sacred nature, no expense was spared to render them objects of great beauty.  

 

The script is written in "tamarind seed" lacquer and the margins between the lines are decorated with gold leaf on a cinnabar background. They usually contain 16 pages consisting of nine Khandakas from the Pali Vinaya Pitaka, each of which relates to a specific ceremony associated with monks of the Theravada school of Buddhism. The pages were constructed using the folded chintz cloth of a venerated older monk (in former times the cloth may have been taken from the waist cloth of kings) which were then thickly coated with layers of orange-red lacquer. As the lacquer hardened, a smooth firm surface was created. The text consisting of about 6 lines per side was written in thick, lustrous black lacquer in a most attractive square script called magyi-zi (tamarind seed), a style of writing popular during the Pagan period. Once the text is completed, the intervening lines are embellished with delicate lively little birds, other animals and floral motifs rendered in gold leaf against a fine hatch stroke background. The first and final pages of the manuscript are generously decorated with gilt freehand drawings from the world of Buddhist mythology including celestial beings. Similar designs also appear on the two lacquered wooden covers enclosing the manuscript.

 

This kammacava is in excellent condition for its age with only normal wear to the covers and minor damage to three of the corners of the pages. It is a complete manuscript with 16 pages in addition to the covers. Both sides of the pages contain script and decoration and we have provided photographs of both sides of each page. They can be mounted or framed with extraordinary effect – often by dividing the manuscript into two sections. They are also stunning framed as single pages. Detailed notes on the history of kammavacca, their construction and historical importance within Burmese culture will be provided with this manuscript along with a certificate of authenticity.

 

Characteristics

Length Covers: 61cm, 24 in

Width Covers: 14.5 cm, 5.7 in

Length Pages: 58cm, 23 in

Width Pages: 13.5 cm, 5.3 in

Weight:  3.5 kg / 7pounds

Provenance: Burmese trader

Period: Mid-late 19th century

Price: US$3,200

 

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