TIBET OR NEPAL, CIRCA 12TH CENTURY

Gilt copper repoussé book covers of this type are extremely rare; compare to another example in A. Heller, Tibetan Art, 1999, cat. no. 37, with stylistically related scroll border still heavily influenced by Indian prototypes of floral and leafy scrollwork. In both cases the workmanship is likely Nepalese, but made for use in Tibet due to the format. The present example is a masterpiece of early repoussé work.