Palm leaf manuscript “ola” - Sri Lanka
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€ 91
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Selected by Surya Rutten
Has over 25 years' experience in Asian art and owned an art gallery.
Estimate € 150 - € 250
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 | €91 | |
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Original palm leaf manuscript titled “ola” from Sri Lanka, dating to the early 19th century, measuring about 43 cm in length, 5 cm in height and 5.5 cm in depth, made from palm leaf fibers with djati wood and alloy elements, provenance Privécollectie, in good condition, consisting of around 80 palm leaves written on both sides with one leaf containing drawings, and without a stand.
AI-assisted summary
Description from the seller
For more than a thousand years, the ola leaf manuscript, made from the dried leaves of the Corypha umbraculifera (talipot palm), was the principal medium for preserving written knowledge in Sri Lanka.
The texts carved on ola leaves ranged from Buddhist scriptures (Tripiṭaka) and commentaries to astrology, medicine, legal codes and poetry. The manuscripts were usually bound between two hardwood covers, sometimes lacquered or decorated, and secured with a cord through a central or eccentric hole. Preserved in monastery libraries or temple depots, they were read aloud during teaching, rituals and festivals.
After harvest, the leaves were boiled, dried and polished to create a smooth yet durable writing surface. Writers carved the text into the leaf with a fine metal stylus and then rubbed in a mixture of soot and oil to make the letters stand out against the light-golden background.
The Sinhala script, like other South Asian scripts, is dominated by rounded letter shapes – a design choice that is believed to have been developed specifically for this medium.
The manuscript offered here is in good condition, with somewhat darkening along the edges of the leaves due to aging.
5.5 cm wide, about 5 cm high and 43 cm long.
About 80 palm leaves described on both sides.
1 leaf contains drawings.
Carefully packed and sent by registered mail and insured.
For more than a thousand years, the ola leaf manuscript, made from the dried leaves of the Corypha umbraculifera (talipot palm), was the principal medium for preserving written knowledge in Sri Lanka.
The texts carved on ola leaves ranged from Buddhist scriptures (Tripiṭaka) and commentaries to astrology, medicine, legal codes and poetry. The manuscripts were usually bound between two hardwood covers, sometimes lacquered or decorated, and secured with a cord through a central or eccentric hole. Preserved in monastery libraries or temple depots, they were read aloud during teaching, rituals and festivals.
After harvest, the leaves were boiled, dried and polished to create a smooth yet durable writing surface. Writers carved the text into the leaf with a fine metal stylus and then rubbed in a mixture of soot and oil to make the letters stand out against the light-golden background.
The Sinhala script, like other South Asian scripts, is dominated by rounded letter shapes – a design choice that is believed to have been developed specifically for this medium.
The manuscript offered here is in good condition, with somewhat darkening along the edges of the leaves due to aging.
5.5 cm wide, about 5 cm high and 43 cm long.
About 80 palm leaves described on both sides.
1 leaf contains drawings.
Carefully packed and sent by registered mail and insured.
Details
Country of Origin
Sri Lanka
Period
Early 19th century
Material
palm leaf fibers, Alloy, Djati wood
Sold with stand
No
Condition
Good condition
Title of artwork
Palm leaf manuscript “ola”
Height
5 cm
Width
43 cm
Depth
5.5 cm
Provenance
Private collection
Authenticity
Original/official
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