Large Tibetan Scripture Roll with Original Sealed Contents (19th Century)
A large Tibetan scripture roll from the 19th century, wrapped in original leather and sealed with its complete internal contents. This exceptionally heavy roll contains traditional manuscript materials and remains fully intact.
Valuation Report (TAX4)
Large Tibetan scripture roll with fully sealed 19th-century contents, wrapped in thick hand-stitched leather and reinforced with copper ends, retaining its complete internal manuscript material.
Material and technique: leather-wrapped cylindrical scripture container; copper terminal construction with natural patina; internal composition of compacted manuscript fibres, paper fragments and blue azurite-based pigment consistent with Tibetan Buddhist text production.
Dimensions: height 29 cm; width 19 cm; total weight 5.2 kg. The density and mass confirm a fully packed scripture roll with intact ritual content.
Period and region: Tibet, 19th century; monastic scripture roll used to store rolled Buddhist texts and sacred material within temple or monastery contexts.
Condition: original and fully sealed, with no evidence of opening, refilling, modern stitching, synthetic fibres, adhesives or restoration. Natural ageing of leather and copper consistent with long-term ritual preservation.
Examination: assessed with museum-grade analytical methods including daylight, polarized light, UV fluorescence and high-magnification microscopy confirming old fibers, manuscript traces and mineral pigment residues.
1stbuddha retail valuation (guidance): €10 000 – €14 000.
Large Tibetan Scripture Roll with Original Sealed Contents (19th Century)
Description
This Tibetan scripture roll is an authentic ritual object from the 19th century, constructed as a compact cylindrical container for sacred texts. The exterior is wrapped in thick, naturally aged leather with hand-stitched seams, and both ends are reinforced with traditional copper elements showing deep, natural patina. The roll has never been opened.
Microscopic examination of the interior through natural gaps reveals old fibres, paper residues and blue mineral pigment consistent with traditional azurite manuscript ink. These details indicate that the object retains its full set of original prayer texts, tightly rolled together and preserved in situ. The structure, density and 5.2 kg weight match the characteristics of large monastic scripture rolls rather than personal amulets. These objects were used to store and protect sacred dharma texts within monasteries and were rarely transported outside Tibet.
The piece was officially exported in 1991 under a Chinese Customs Permission Seal (code B11), confirming its classification as an antique religious object at the time of export. Its preserved sealing, mass, and complete internal content make it a rare example of a large Tibetan prayer roll preserved in its original state.
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Large Tibetan Scripture Roll with Original Sealed Contents (19th Century)
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