This is an Indonesian carved wood bound book with engraved lontar palm leaf pages. These traditional books cover subjects of literature, mythology, history and religious works and are some of the oldest written literary works on the island. Lontar is the local name for the Asian Palmyra palm Borassus flabellifer that grows in dry regions. The leaves are dried and used as pages upon which letterings are carved into by the aid of a special sharp-tipped blade called a temutik. The pages are bound by woven strands between 2 pieces of wood into what is collectively referred to as a lontar book. These books have long been used as references among the Balinese people for knowledge and local wisdom, encompassing religion, rites of passage, and traditional shamanism or medicine.

From the Upstate New York estate of Marshall and Kay Lee. Marshall was a well known collector of Pre-Columbian pottery and a talented and well-respected book designer in the publishing industry.
13 1/2 x 3 /2" when closed

Minor warping to the leaves. Please examine the images for the best indication of condition.