burmese tattoo parabaik

Burma
Mid 20th century
14 x 7 cm

This folding book or parabaik has images of tattoo designs. There are deities, protective ogres, a cabbalistic diagram in red and scenes from the life of the Buddha. The script is likely to be Shan script.It has been produced on long strip of paper that folds out, concertina-style. The covers comprise paper thickened and hardened with black lacquer.
The paper is made from the inner bark of the local mulberry tree. The bark is cut in thin strips and dried in the sun. It is then boiled in a solution of water and wood ash to soften the fibres. The resulting pulp is then pounded to a smooth paste which is then poured over mesh screens and then left to dry in the sun. The resulting sheets of paper are then peeled off the mesh, trimmed and burnished and cut to the desired size.Drawing materials included black ink made from powdered soot mixed with animal or fish bile, and if available, Chinese black ink. There were no erasers so if a mistake was made, a white lime paste was applied to the surface – as appears to be the case in small areas on the manuscript here.The art of tattoo in Southeast Asia, especially in Burma, encompasses ritual as well as decoration. Acquiring tattoos at the Buddhist Temple would ensure the owner of protection, a permanent talisman, or give the warrior further courage in battle, as well as be a culturally decorative adornment.The book shows its age but is intact. The drawings on each page retrain their clarity and sharpness.If there is interest, I will provide other details/information available prior to purchase. Reference:
Conway, S., Tai Magic: Arts of the Supernatural in the Shan States and Lan Na, River Books, 2014.

Antiques.co.uk Ref: HJCVQPGT

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