Child’s Book from Bali
This item in the Museum’s collection was purchased in 1936 by the donor when visiting Bali. It is thought to be a child’s book having five pages comprised of tree leaves (trimmed, flattened and polished smooth) held together by a single cord. The writing and illustrations on these leaves have been incised onto the surface and colored with pigment. Two exterior covers of thin wood protect the fragile leaves when the book is drawn closed. It measures 1-1/2 inches x 15-5/8 inches. The tradition of palm-leaf books dates back at least two thousands years.
