Book Cover with Sam Par Interior

Currently not on view

Book Cover with Sam Par Interior

17th - 19th century

Artist/maker unknown, Tibetan

This book cover probably once contained medical-magical texts used to cure diseases, prevent misfortune, or exorcise malignant spirits. The small figures are molds (called sam par) for dough models of animals, auspicious symbols, and demons. In ransom rituals used to placate malevolent spirits, the dough figures substitute for livestock. When performed properly, the spirits are believed to accept these dough effigies instead of taking the lives of the actual beings.

Currently not on view

Object Details

Title:

Book Cover with Sam Par Interior

Date:

17th - 19th century

Artist:

Artist/maker unknown, Tibetan

Medium:

Wood

Dimensions:

3 7/16 × 20 3/4 × 1/4 inches (8.7 × 52.7 × 0.6 cm)

Classification:

Sculpture

Credit Line:

Stella Kramrisch Collection, 1994

Accession Number:

1994-148-631

Geography:

Made in Tibet, Asia

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Currently not on view