Phra Malai Kham Luang [The Fable of Phra Malai].

[Buddhism - Phra Malai].

Published by [Thailand, late 19th / early 20th century CE].

About this Item

Oblong folding-book manuscript (samut khoi, khoi book), 360 x 120 mm. Thai manuscript on khoi paper in black Khom Thai script; first leaf in gold ink on black background. 25 ff. Concertina-folded and written on both rectos and versos. With 2 illuminations appearing in pairs on the left and right borders of the manuscript (thus comprising 4 pictures in total). Contemporary black lacquered limp wrappers. A lovely Thai Buddhist folding book (samut khoi), with excerpts from the legend of the Phra Malai, a beloved adventure fable of the Theravada Buddhist tradition, whose story often appears alongside other popular Buddhist tales. This manuscript opens its two main sections (split into the recto pages and verso pages of the folding book) with beautiful gold ink calligraphy on a field of black, flanked by particularly fine paintings on each side of the text. - In 19th century Thai Buddhist communities, a fine folding book like this one might be commissioned for a funeral celebration where monks would give a theatrical reading of Buddhist tales and Phra Malai's adventures. Such folding books are an integral part of the manuscript traditions of Buddhists not only in Thailand, but also Cambodia, Laos, Burma, and Sri Lanka, likely originating in the latter, and are often called 'khoi books' after the bark paper from which they are made (another common term used in English is parabike, from Cambodian). - The legend of Phra Malai itself is based on an earlier Pali story, but in the Thai manuscript tradition, Phra Malai appears in the vernacular, written in Thai and usually in the Thom Kai script, a variant of Khmer script, but which includes Thai tone markers. This manuscript was probably one of many commissioned by the family of a deceased loved one, as a traditional offering to gather merit for a soul navigating hell and reincarnation. - One chip in the centrefold of the first leaf; some rubbing. In good condition.

Seller Inventory # 63986

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Phra Malai Kham Luang [The Fable of Phra Malai].
• Publisher: [Thailand, late 19th / early 20th century CE].
• Binding: Soft cover
• Weight: 1000 grams
• Seller catalogs:
  • Manuscripts