Woodblock printed manuscript leaf from the Odisha region, 1700s

18^th century woodblock printed manuscript leaf with hand-inscribed annotations from the Odisha (formerly Orissa) region (according to the identification note [13-4] from the Ferdinand Rotan Galleries, Baltimore, from whom this leaf was once purchased), printed in black and red on both sides on laid paper in a Medieval Sanskrit script (possibly Devanagari [see https://eap.bl.uk/archive-file/EAP1023-2-3; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Devanagari]).

I understand—but could be very wrong—that the paper is made from bhurja leaf coated with the juice of datura leaf which has darkened and given a sheen to the sheet and has protected it through the centuries from insect attack (see Debi Prasanna Nanda’s [2020] “The tradition of Palm Leaf writing in Odisha”: https://www.esamskriti.com/e/Culture/Indian-Culture/The-tradition-of-Palm-Leaf-writing-in-Odisha-1.aspx). There is a previous collectors ink stamp and mark verso.

Size: (sheet) 18.2 x 14.6 cm.

Condition: the lettering shows no signs of abrasion or fading and the sheet is in a remarkably good condition for its considerable age with no tears, significant stains or foxing.

I am selling this small 18^th century woodblock printed manuscript leaf from the Odisha region (north-eastern India) for total cost of AU$173 (currently US$127.75/EUR107.82/GBP92.68 at the time of posting this listing) including postage and handling to anywhere in the world (but not, of course, any import duties/taxes imposed by some countries).

If you are interested in purchasing this well-preserved 18^th century printed leaf, please contact me (oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com) and I will send you a PayPal invoice to make the payment easy.