Part of National Museums Liverpool

The History of Tibet: The Feast of Perfect Youth, Melodies of the Cuckoo

50.31.110

Part of

Tibet collection

This internationally significant collection of over 2,000 Tibetan objects gives an insight into the lives of British India officers connected to Tibet and the Himalayas.

About this object

Three copies of the same block printed Tibetan manuscripts or pecha, the History of Tibet: The Feast of Perfect Youth, Melodies of the Cuckoo by ngag dbang blo bzang rgya mtsho [5th Dalai Lama, Ngawang Lobsang Gyatso (1617-1682)]. The individual manuscripts each contains 113 folios, there are line drawings of Avalokiteśvara on the left and Srong btsan sGam po on the right of folio 1v Śāntarakshita on the left and Khri srong De btsan on the right of folio 2. One of the copies, 'Barmiak 5' is made of good quality daphne bark paper. All three are of different sizes. The manuscripts are wrapped in a gold coloured cotton cloth, with a red diamond support at the corner to hold a red cloth tape. This is supported between two deep red wooden book covers (too short for the pecha).

Object specifics

  • Type
    Writing
  • Culture
    Tibetan
  • Artist/Maker
  • Place made
    Asia: Central Asia: Tibet [China]
  • Date made
    19th Century
  • Materials
    Ink; Paper Plant; Wood; Textile Cotton; Lacquer
  • Location
    Item not currently on display
  • Acquisition
    From the Collection of Sir Charles Bell
  • Collector
    Charles Alfred Bell
  • Place collected
    Not recorded
  • Date collected
    1912 - 1942
  • Measurements
    97 mm x 570 mm x 125 mm; 3 13/16 in x 22 7/16 in x 4 15/16 in
  • Note
    Curator's note: The descriptions and page translations found in the inscriptions field have been provided by Dr Karma Phuntsho, during cataloguing for, 'The Tibetan-Mongolian Rare Books and Manuscripts (TMRBM) project', University of Cambridge. There are a further two identical copies of this book wrapped in the same covers. Written by Emma Martin
  • Related people
    Barmiok [Burmiok, Bermiok], Jedrung Karma Palden Chogyal ( acquired from); Charles Alfred Bell ( Collector)

Explore related

Publications

  • Tibet: Catalogue of Exhibits

    Tankard, Elaine

    Author: Tankard, Elaine
    Publisher: Liverpool Public Museums
    Date: 1953-03
    Description: Introductory essay and catalogue entries, in themes, for the 1953 exhibition; 'Tibet', held at the Walker Art Gallery.

Object view = Humanities
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