A rare and museum-worthy artifact of Southeast Asian heritage, this 93-page Shan manuscript (dated 1865) unfolds into a monumental ceremonial scroll spanning over 54 feet in length. Each leaf, inscribed on both sides in flowing Shan script, merges sacred text with intricate ritual diagrams — a living bridge between literature, art, and devotion.
Interspersed throughout are Buddhist teachings, palmistry charts, yantra-style protective diagrams, cosmological maps, and symbolic illustrations rendered in vivid red and black ink. This synthesis of text and image reflects the intellectual and spiritual traditions of the Shan people, carrying forward protective, astrological, and ritual knowledge through generations.
Details
Date: 1865
Origin: Shan State / Northern Thailand–Burma region
Format: Folding parabaik-style manuscript, 93 pages (front & back)
Length: ~7" height per leaf × ~54 ft continuous when extended
Dimensions (folded): 17” × 7” × 2.25”
Medium: Ink on handmade paper
Condition: Remarkably well-preserved for its age, with expected wear and patina
Why Collect This Piece
19th-Century Relic: Over 150 years old, authentically preserved
Sacred Text & Ritual Illustrations: Merges scripture with protective diagrams and cosmological art
Ceremonial Presence: Can be displayed folded as a manuscript or unfurled into a monumental ritual scroll
Living Tradition: A direct link to Shan Buddhist and animist practices, seldom found outside museum collections
This manuscript is more than an object — it is a spiritual artifact, a record of knowledge, ritual, and devotion carried across generations. A rare convergence of history, art, and sacred tradition, it stands as a testament to the enduring wisdom of the Shan people.
Note on Sacred Objects
Our pieces often originate in Buddhist traditions, yet their essence is universal. You do not need to be Buddhist — nor hold any specific beliefs — to welcome them into your life. These objects are not bound to religious worship; they are reminders of awareness, compassion, and our shared human connection. Whether worn, carried, or placed in your space, they serve as anchors for mindfulness and presence — a quiet reminder that we are all connected.
A rare and museum-worthy artifact of Southeast Asian heritage, this 93-page Shan manuscript (dated 1865) unfolds into a monumental ceremonial scroll spanning over 54 feet in length. Each leaf, inscribed on both sides in flowing Shan script, merges sacred text with intricate ritual diagrams — a living bridge between literature, art, and devotion.
Interspersed throughout are Buddhist teachings, palmistry charts, yantra-style protective diagrams, cosmological maps, and symbolic illustrations rendered in vivid red and black ink. This synthesis of text and image reflects the intellectual and spiritual traditions of the Shan people, carrying forward protective, astrological, and ritual knowledge through generations.
Details
Date: 1865
Origin: Shan State / Northern Thailand–Burma region
Format: Folding parabaik-style manuscript, 93 pages (front & back)
Length: ~7" height per leaf × ~54 ft continuous when extended
Dimensions (folded): 17” × 7” × 2.25”
Medium: Ink on handmade paper
Condition: Remarkably well-preserved for its age, with expected wear and patina
Why Collect This Piece
19th-Century Relic: Over 150 years old, authentically preserved
Sacred Text & Ritual Illustrations: Merges scripture with protective diagrams and cosmological art
Ceremonial Presence: Can be displayed folded as a manuscript or unfurled into a monumental ritual scroll
Living Tradition: A direct link to Shan Buddhist and animist practices, seldom found outside museum collections
This manuscript is more than an object — it is a spiritual artifact, a record of knowledge, ritual, and devotion carried across generations. A rare convergence of history, art, and sacred tradition, it stands as a testament to the enduring wisdom of the Shan people.
Note on Sacred Objects
Our pieces often originate in Buddhist traditions, yet their essence is universal. You do not need to be Buddhist — nor hold any specific beliefs — to welcome them into your life. These objects are not bound to religious worship; they are reminders of awareness, compassion, and our shared human connection. Whether worn, carried, or placed in your space, they serve as anchors for mindfulness and presence — a quiet reminder that we are all connected.
