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Collections

Unknown
Cover (interior) of a Buddhist Manuscript with Scenes from the Valahassa Jatakalate 16th century

Not on view
Painted wooden manuscript cover or book board with two registers of narrative scenes, figures, animals, and architectural elements in vermillion, green, black, white, and gold

Unknown, Cover (interior) of a Buddhist Manuscript with Scenes from the Valahassa Jataka, late 16th century, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Jack Zimmerman, photo © Museum Associates/LACMA

Artist or Maker
Unknown
Title
Cover (interior) of a Buddhist Manuscript with Scenes from the Valahassa Jataka
Place Made
Nepal
Date Made
late 16th century
Medium
Wood with opaque watercolor
Dimensions
4 7/8 x 16 1/4 in.; 12.4 x 41.3 cm
Credit Line
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Jack Zimmerman
Accession Number
M.84.171.4b
Classification
Manuscripts
Collecting Area
South and Southeast Asian Art
Curatorial Notes

Tradition records that the Valahassa Jataka was told by the Buddha as an admonition to his followers not to be led astray by beautiful women: 500 merchants were shipwrecked in a land inhabited by goblins, who took the forms of beautiful women and invited the merchants to marry them. One of the merchants recognized that they were demons, but was only able to convince 250 of his compatriots that they were in grave peril. The Buddha came in the form of a magical horse and rescued all who wished to leave. The merchants who remained were eaten alive by their goblin wives.