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Artist/Maker
Unknown artist, Sri Lankan
Datebefore 1900
MediumWood and palm-leaf paper with ink
DimensionsOverall: 27 1/2 × 2 1/4 × 1 1/2 in. (69.9 × 5.7 × 3.8 cm)
Credit LineGift of George William Augustin, Jr. (HC '35) to the Library of Hamilton College
Object numberS2026.3.1-82
Not on view
DescriptionWritten in twined Sinhala (Sri Lankan) script. Palm leaf books such as this originated in India as early as the 9th century C.E. and were still in production and use throughout South Asia as late as the 19th century, when the printing press took over. These books were used to record important Theravada Buddhist scripture and teachings as well as indigenous knowledge of medicine, literature, agriculture, astrology and the arts. This book contains Jataka tales, Buddhist moral fables detailing the previous lives of the Buddha as a Bodhisattva.
Collections
Additional Details
Provenance
Hamilton College (Library), by gift of George William (Bill) Augustin, Jr., HC '35 (did not graduate)
Markings
On top wooden plank (handwritten on paper label): "To the Library of Hamilton / College / G.W. Augustin Jr. / 30 [or 35]"
On top wooden plank (handwritten on same paper label as above, different writing): "Sacred writings / on palm leaves"
On top wooden plank (printed paper label): "Hamilton College / Library / Clinton, New York"
On top wooden plank (handwritten on same paper label as above, different writing): "Sacred writings / on palm leaves"
On top wooden plank (printed paper label): "Hamilton College / Library / Clinton, New York"
Inscribed
Inscribed in ink on wood at center: [illegible] 2162
Date: mid-16th century
Medium: Double-sided watercolor, ink, and gold leaf on paper
Object number: 1986.29.1a-b
Karl Blossfeldt
Date: 1929
Medium: Rotogravure
Object number: 2009.2.2
Christoph Jamnitzer
Date: published 1610 (possibly printed later)
Medium: Engraving
Object number: 1928.11
Katsushika Hokusai
Date: 1835
Medium: Woodblock print
Object number: 2018.8.1
Thomas Nast
Date: published August 14, 1875
Medium: Wood engraving on newsprint
Object number: 2019.13.293
Unknown artist, Japanese
Date: c. 1877
Medium: Album with lacquered board cover containing fifty albumen photographs with hand coloring
Object number: 1992.27