A RARE AND VERY LARGE PAINTED WOOD SUTRA COVER, NEPAL, CIRCA 1450 Opinion: The present sutra cover is of exceptionally large size, which along with the remarkably fine manner of Pala-inspired painting leaves no doubt as to its importance, and - naturally - the importance of the manuscripts it once served to protect. Surviving with vibrant colors, the cover would have been commissioned by a monastery or wealthy family to protect a sacred text of the Buddhist canon. In Buddhist contexts, manuscripts are often considered sacred objects in their own right, which explains the care and attention afforded to the present, almost six centuries-old sutra cover.

The painting is in a distinct style that clearly emulates the Pala tradition of Northeastern India. For example, the oval bolsters, each with two triangular projections indicating a throne back, are commonly seen in Pala illuminated manuscripts. See, for example, Pal, Tibetan Paintings, 1984, page 46, plate 5.

Exquisitely painted to the left with Buddha Shakyamuni seated in dhyanasana on a stepped lotus throne under an elaborate arch composed of animals and offerings, his right hand lowered in bhumisparsa mudra and his left holding an alms bowl, and similarly to the right with Maitreya wearing loose-fitting robes and a fine crown, his hands held in dharmachakra mudra. Each of the central deities is flanked by two bodhisattvas turned toward them and kneeling in prayer, all figures backed by a halo, all surrounded by pale-blue lotus blossoms and foliate scroll against a dark ground.

Provenance: English trade.
Condition: Excellent condition, commensurate with age and presenting notably well, especially the many subtle details of the painting. Ancient wear, natural age cracks, rubbing, some losses to pigment and associated minor touchups, occasional scratches, minute nicks. Good patina overall.

Weight: 3,419 g
Dimensions: 28 x 82.2 cm

Literature comparison: Compare a closely related pair of Nepalese Shaiva manuscript covers, also dated circa 1450, similarly painted with pale-blue foliate scroll, formerly in the collection of Pratapaditya Pal and now in the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, accession number M.80.155.1a-b.

Auction result comparison:
Type: Related
Auction: Bonhams Hong Kong, 24 May 2021, lot 1
Price: HKD 627,500 or approx. EUR 75,500 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A pair of carved and painted wood sutra covers, Central Tibet, 13^th century
Expert remark: Compare the closely related manner of painting, as evidenced by the faces, halos, and oval bolsters with triangular projections indicating a throne back. Note that the backside of each sutra cover is carved with Buddhist figures and foliate scroll. Also note the smaller size (11 x 40.3 cm).

Auction result comparison:
Type: Related
Auction: Bonhams Hong Kong, 2 December 2021, lot 1003
Estimate: HKD 500,000 or approx. EUR 60,500 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A painted wood sutra cover, Tibet, circa 13^th century
Expert remark: Compare the closely related manner of painting, as evidenced by the faces, halos, and oval bolsters with triangular projections indicating a throne back. Note the absence of foliate lotus scroll and the smaller size (15.6 x 38.3 cm).


約1450年尼泊爾大型彩繪佛經木封面
此佛經封面尺寸特別大，再加上帕拉風格繪畫的精妙手法，毫無疑問，它曾經極爲重要。封面色彩鮮豔，可能是由寺院或富裕家庭委託製作的，以保護佛教經典文本。佛經手稿本身也通常被認為是神聖的物品，這解釋了這件歷經六個世紀的封面的重要性。

畫風獨特，明顯模仿了印度東北部的帕拉傳統。例如，橢圓形的拱門，每一個都有兩個三角形的突起，表示一個寶座，在帕拉手稿中很常見。見Pal, Tibetan Paintings, 1984, 第46頁, 圖 5。

左側精美繪有釋迦牟尼佛坐在蓮花寶座上，背後是由很多動物和供品組成的精美拱門，他的右手觸地印，左手拿著一個缽；右側類似，彌勒佛穿著寬鬆的長袍，戴著精美的皇冠，他的雙手結著法輪手印。其他本尊兩側各有兩位菩薩轉身跪拜，身後有光背，四周黑地淡藍色的纏枝蓮紋。

來源：英國古玩交易市場。
品相：品相極佳，與年齡相稱，且保存良好，尤其是繪畫的細節。磨損和褪色，有過輕微修飾、輕微劃痕、微小的刻痕。整體光澤良好。

重量：3,419 克
尺寸：28 x 82.2 厘米

文獻比較：比較非常相近的一對大約1450年尼泊爾濕婆佛經木封面，相似的淡藍色的纏枝蓮紋，先前收藏於Pratapaditya Pal，現藏於洛杉磯郡藝術博物館，編號M.80.155.1a-b。

拍賣結果比較：
形制：相近
拍賣：香港邦瀚斯，2021年5月24日，lot 1
價格：HKD 627,500（相當於今日EUR 75,500）
描述：藏中十三世紀彩繪木質護經板
專家評論：比較相近的繪畫方式，如面孔、光背，以及橢圓形的拱門，每一個都有兩個三角形的突起，表示一個寶座。請注意，每個經蓋的背面都雕刻著佛教人物和捲葉紋，且尺寸較小(11 x 40.3 厘米)。

拍賣結果比較：
形制：相近
拍賣：香港邦瀚斯，2021年12月2日，lot 1003
估價：HKD 500,000（相當於今日EUR 60,500）
描述：西藏約十三世紀木質彩繪護經板
專家評論：比較相近的繪畫方式，如面孔、光背，以及橢圓形的拱門，每一個都有兩個三角形的突起，表示一個寶座。請注意此板沒有纏枝蓮紋，且尺寸稍小(15.6 x 38.3 厘米)。