Two of the works in the current lot are examples of thyasapu, folding books from Nepal. Such works often served as manuals for artists, pairing illustrations with iconographic descriptions that provided information on how to accurately represent the often complex tantric deities of Nepalese Buddhism or Shaivism. The painted example, most likely from the nineteenth century, depicts the sixty-four manifestations of Chakrasamvara according to the Samvaragama Mahatantra. The incredibly complex iconographic program related to this text meant that accompanying visualization manuals were often important for worship by even the most learned practitioners. A remarkably similar example, most likely by the same artist as the present book, was sold at Bonhams New York, 18 September 2013, lot 50, for $13,750.
The other thyasapu in the lot, also dating from the nineteenth century, depicts the Newar conception of the yogic six-chakra transformation as part of the Kundalini yogic system. Such books were created as illustrated manuals for training the practitioner on what to visualize during meditation. In this practice, the yogin practices breath control up through the six chakras of the body, finally attaining enlightenment at the top. The manual is also interspersed with various yantras and Brahmanical deities, indicating this book was likely intended for the Brahmanical community.
The six loose pages from a Buddhist manuscript are probably the earliest of the group, and depict the Buddha Shakyamuni along with various bodhisattvas and Buddhist deities. Stylistically, the pages appear to date from the fifteenth century.