TIBETAN CONSECRATION TEXTS
- Other
- c. 17th or 18th century
c. 17th or 18th century. Other. A group of seven small bundles of Tibetan consecration texts written in khyug yig (fast script) on indigo-dyed paper using gold and red (possibly cinnabar) pigments. In Very good minus condition. Light plus creasing and minor tearing to edges of paper strips, where the bundles pressed up against other sacred materials on the cavity of a sculpture. Light fading to text. Bundles vary in size from 1 in x 1 in to 0.375 in x 0.375 in. Also included are two small (approx. 0.5 in x 0.5 in) packages of unidentified material wrapped in what appears to be white silk. SH Consignment. These consecration texts were originally used to "charge" a Tibetan Buddhist sculpture as a part of its consecration. Bundles of coiled texts and other sacred materials were inserted in the cavity of a lost-wax cast sculptured and sealed inside, as part of or ahead of the consecration ritual, during which the image is empowered with some part of the essence of the figure it represents.
John C. Huntington, a professor of art history specializing in Tibetan Buddhist art, acquired these texts as a part of his personal study collection. In addition to relying on the collection for his own research and publications, he also incorporated it into his seminar courses and other teaching and mentoring during his long career at the Ohio State University. 1366847. Special Collections.
John C. Huntington, a professor of art history specializing in Tibetan Buddhist art, acquired these texts as a part of his personal study collection. In addition to relying on the collection for his own research and publications, he also incorporated it into his seminar courses and other teaching and mentoring during his long career at the Ohio State University. 1366847. Special Collections.