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

Not on view

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.