This tiny folded-paper book or parabaik (also spelled parabeik) came to the department with no attribution or provenance. It is untitled and constructed in the traditional Burmese/Myanmar manner, with the heavy paper cut and pasted into one long strip, then folded accordion style and attached to wood boards. The binding has an identical relief decoration on either side, ornamented with glass facets.
The hand-painted text, written in a round Burmese hand, forms circles around animal figures, astrological symbols, and runes. Although we do not have an expert on campus who has been able to translate this lovely volume, the characters do not appear to form complete sentences, but are perhaps the sounds or syllables that form magical chants or charms.
Untitled book of charms [parabaik], 20th century. Gift of Alfred L. Bush. Graphic Arts (GAX) 2009- in process
I think you'll find that they don't form complete sentences because they're probably actually templates for traditional tattoos given in the region. I have one of these books, mine's on black paper and the cover is made of some type of copper, I think. The relief on my covers have been hand pounded. It's a beautiful piece, I have no idea how old it is or what the text says though.
I think you'll find that they don't form complete sentences because they're probably actually templates for traditional tattoos given in the region. I have one of these books, mine's on black paper and the cover is made of some type of copper, I think. The relief on my covers have been hand pounded. It's a beautiful piece, I have no idea how old it is or what the text says though.