Paris, 9 November 2011
Guimet Museum in Paris, is currently presenting an exceptional corpus of Burmese manuscripts and objects of its collections, for the first time. The exhibition, “De laque et d’or”, showcases manuscripts from the Republic of the Union of Myanmar. The exhibition, which started on 19 October, will take place until 23 January 2012.
The presentation is currently held in the historical library of Guimet Museum rotunda, and presents lacquered and golden books – the Kammavaca – manuscripts engraved on palm leaves, as well as written works in ink on traditional folded paper – the parabaik .
Until the end of the 19th century, manuscripts were frequently used in Myanmar; in religious or nonreligious literature, along with medical or pharmaceutical treatments, and archive documents or official deeds. These books will offer visitors, a prestigious view of a neglected country in France.
The exhibition will present the close connection between the history of these manuscripts and where Buddhist monasteries had been created. The corpus of the manuscripts will be completed by an impressive model of the large 19th century religious building from Mandaly, along with an amazing horoscopic painting carved in ivory and an ancient map of the Java city.