Manuscript

An 18th-century manuscript (ต้นฉบับ) from northeast Thailand written in Lao (Northern Thai, Tham อักษรธรรม). Written in 4 lines per leaf. Unusually foliated with a combination of letters and numerals. Written by a poorly trained scribe, lacking tone marks. Leaves of palm leaf, many damaged, with four holes, two central ones approximately 17.5 cm apart and two at the left and right margins; lacquered edges. Wooden covers with a cord tied through the two center holes; writing in old Lao inside the lower cover. Possibly written in the 1780's. The text concerns the tale of Phaya Khankhak (Lord of Toad), which is based on the Lao folktale, but long integrated into the tradition of Buddhist narratives. Accompanied by a modern printed tag in Thai from the Fine Arts Department certifying permission for the manuscript to leave Thailand.