Decorating Tibetan Xylographs: Codicological Elements Unveiling Provenance and Dating

Michela Clemente (The International Association for Mediterranean and Oriental Studies)

Tibetan xylographs can be considered as an extension of the scribal culture. Woodblocks seek to faithfully reproduce handwritten originals; accordingly, prints retain the codicological elements exhibited in Tibetan manuscripts, showing the continuation of a long-lasting tradition started in India. Although codicological elements may vary from manuscripts to prints and some may be less spread in Tibetan xylographs, others seem to have been flourished with the wider diffusion of printing projects throughout the country. This is the case of particularly elaborate incipits, found in Buddhist prints produced from the 17th century onwards. 

This talk will present recently identified peculiar features exhibited in Tibetan xylographs which can be used as markers to assess the provenance and / or dating of a given exemplar. It explores so far neglected codicological elements, attempting to trace their development and use.