Palm-Leaf Manuscript "Bai Lan", Northern Thailand, 19th Century

A traditional Southeast Asian palm-leaf manuscript "bai lan", consisting of multiple inscribed palm-leaf folios bound together with a cord and weighted with two perforated bronze cash coins. The leaves are carefully incised with a stylus and darkened with pigment, preserving the text in clear, legible form. The manuscript is protected by wooden cover boards, the first palm-leaf is finely incised with a stylized floral and mythical bird "hongsa" motif, typical of Northern Thai and Lao manuscript art. The text is written in Tai Tham script, also known as Lanna script, most likely in Pali, historically used in Northern Thailand, Laos, and parts of Myanmar. It contains Buddhist protective and merit-making texts "Paritta", used in a ritual and devotional context and employed for religious, ritual, astrological, legal, and medical texts within the Theravāda Buddhist cultural sphere. The manuscript is bound with a cord threaded through the leaves and weighted with Chinese bronze cash coins with square central holes. These coins were widely circulated throughout Southeast Asia and commonly reused in manuscripts as functional weights or symbolic elements. Their presence reflects regional trade connections and practical reuse rather than monetary function. Palm-leaf manuscripts of this type were used for religious recitation, instruction, merit-making rituals, and the preservation of sacred knowledge. They were often stored in monasteries or family shrines and brought out for specific ceremonial occasions.

Overall very good condition for its type and age; palm leaves show expected age-related patina, minor wear, and surface abrasions; text remains well preserved and legible; binding intact; wooden covers stable.

Length approx. 32 cm. Material: Palm leaf, wood, cord, bronze coins.

Ex. collection K.-H. Krieg.