Kamawa-sa, Myanmar (Burma), 19th century, Cloth, wood, lacquer, gold leaf, ROM, 2014.55.10.1,

Kamawa-sa, Myanmar (Burma), 19th century, Cloth, wood, lacquer, gold leaf, ROM, 2014.55.10.1,

This Burmese book of Buddhist scriptures (Kamawa-sa) includes selections written in Pali from the Tipitaka (literally, "three baskets") of Therevada, the most ancient form of Buddhism. Costly and ornate Kamawa-sa were written on cloth or palm leaves in chunky, square tamarind-seed script (magyi si sar), and offered as gifts to a monastery to commemorate the taking of religious vows. Sometimes the cloth pages were made from the robe of a respected elder monk, lacquered and coated in gold.

Royal Ontario Museum

19th century

Royal Ontario Museum

Dimensions: 16 x 57.5 cm

Material: lacquer and gold leaf on cloth, wood

Sanskrit

ROM 2014.55.10.1

Myanmar