[Rarebooks] Offering: A Unique 17th Century Illuminated Sanskrit Manuscript with 17 miniatures

[Michael John Thompson]

LAKSHMI STUTRA
A Unique 17th Century Illuminated Sanskrit Manuscript with 17 miniatures

SANSKRIT MANUSCRIPT. LAKSHMI STUTRA. (Undated, but attributed as 
being 17th Century). 5.5 x 3.5 inches, oblong, later blue cloth 
boards. [118] leaves; 17 full-colour miniature paintings mostly in 
blues, reds, green, orange and white highlighted with gold; 101 
leaves of calligraphic text in black and redbordered in red, blue and 
a wide layer of gold on each leaf. This manuscript appears to be 
complete. from the library of mystical philosopher Charles Muses, 
with a note in his hand on the endpaper stating "Lakshi Stutra, 17th 
Century, from Benares Province". Another note on the rear endpaper 
also states "Laxmi Stutra 17th C. V.P. (Benares)".

The miniature paintings are all finely executed and depict (in order)
Lakshmi and supplicant
Lakshmi (a Goddess) on tiger slating demon
Lakshmi on a lotus flower with two elephants and a field of demon heads
Lakshmi with three men praying.
Durga on tiger slaying two demons
Durga on tiger slaying 3 demons
Lakshmi and two men praying
Durga on tiger slaying a centaur-like demon
Durga on tiger slaying two demons
Durga as Shiva on a corpse, man praying
Lakshmi being watered by two elephants
Lakshmi and two men praying
Durga on tiger with man praying
Durga on tiger slaying demon
Durga on tiger slaying demon (again)
Ganesh and two women with torches
Woman astride a large white bird in a glade of trees.


The text paper is lightly browned but is not stained or mildewed. The 
miniatures are on the same paperas that of the text but are mounted 
onto somewhat thicker paper. There is mild chipping to the paint on 
the images, but it is very minor. The binding has light wear but is 
clean and decent.

$4,500.00 US


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/mjt

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Michael John Thompson
Member, Antiquarian Booksellers Association of Canada
5275 Jerow Road
Hornby Island, BC
Canada V0R 1Z0
250-335-1182

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