Burmese Fortune Teller's Book

Diagrams in thin ink, folded in neat panels.

This Burmese fortune teller’s book of paper and pigment dates to the 19th century. Folding books like this were commonly used for astrology, horoscopes and other texts in Burma. The pages are unfolded to show a column of ruled grids, a large symmetrical motif and rows of fine writing in ink. The paper is a pale tan, with creases at each fold and some staining. Even without reading a word, the symmetry of the central motif and the careful line work are fine to look at.

Best kept open, in a case or on a wall.