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Jain folio from a Kalakacarya kathanaka manuscript. Western India, circa 1450. Gouache and gold on paper. Approx. 12 x 29cm

Previously listed with damages but since restored*.

Ref: JK22110

The Kalakacarya is, with the Kalpasutra, a principal text of the Svetambara Jains. Often it appears with the Kalpasutra, at the end. It is the story of the monk Kalaka. In the folio picture's lower register we see Kalaka exercising his horse and in the upper register he is listening to Gunakara preach. (With thanks to Robert Del Bonta for identifying the folio and subject.)

*The folio had a hole in the shape of an irregular meandering line from worming (in the area of the text) and some tiny holes (in the area of the picture) where the paper had originally been  painted with green details.  This verdigris develops a high acid content which penetrated the paper over the years eventually eating right through and leaving tiny holes weakening the folio.  This is something which effects most Jain folios of this age where green pigment has been applied. It had been mounted (matted in USA) using strips of masking tape along the top and bottom edges, the glue of which has seeped through the paper causing brown discolouration. It has since been repaired using old Indian handmade paper provided by myself and conservation-grade materials. This provides aesthetic improvement but more importantly stabilises the folio, with repairs localised to problem areas only. This preserves as much of its original form as possible in the manner of museum restoration and has not been pasted onto an entirely new sheet of paper or card as is usually the case.

Price: £425

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