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Pair of Book Covers for a Buddhist Text

12th century
Not on view
These unique, large-scale book covers illustrate the complex interrelationship between the Buddhist world of eastern India and that of Tibet during the "second diffusion," when Buddhism in Tibet was purified by renewed contact with Indian Buddhism. They are also fascinating as prototypical objects that help to explain the format and decoration of many Tibetan painted book covers. Nothing like them has survived in India, and they present a new facet of eastern Indian art of the Pala period.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Pair of Book Covers for a Buddhist Text
  • Period: Pala period
  • Date: 12th century
  • Culture: North India and Tibet
  • Medium: Wood with traces of paint; decorative mounts of silver with gilt semiprecious stones, and gilt-copper alloy
  • Dimensions: Overall (each bookcover): 8 7/8 x 27 3/4 in. (22.5 x 70.5 cm)
  • Classification: Woodwork
  • Credit Line: Gift of Cynthia Hazen Polsky, 2005
  • Object Number: 2005.436.1a, b
  • Curatorial Department: Asian Art

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