Kalpa Sutra and Kalakacharyakatha

Object Details

• School/Tradition

  Jain school

• Provenance

  At least 1956-?

  Sarabhai Manilal Nawab (1907-1983), method of acquisition unknown [1]

  ?-?

  Ownership information unknown

  1962-1963

  R. E. Lewis, Inc. (active 1952-1999), San Francisco, CA, method of acquisition unknown, possibly in Japan or India [2]

  1963-ca. 1964

  Charles (1903-1997) and Catherine Page (1908-1996) and two Unidentified individuals, jointly purchased from R. E. Lewis, Inc. in San Francisco, CA [3]

  Ca. 1964-1985

  Charles and Catherine Page, partial purchase from two Unidentified individuals [4]

  From 1985

  Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, gift of Charles and Catherine Page [5]

  Notes:

  [1] See Sarabhai M. Nawab, “Masterpieces of the Kalpasutra paintings” [book], from “Jain Art Publication Series,” no. 7, (Ahmedabad: S. M. Nawab, 1956), p. 5, figs. 406-410, 412, 416-420, 423-429. The object and the provenance are described as “SMN 5 Sarabhai Nawa collection; Ahmedabad.”

  Sarabhai Manilal Nawab (1907-1983) was an art historian in Ahmedabad, India.

  [2] See letter from Charles Page to Milo Beach, dated September 8, 1988, copy in object file. Charles Page’s letter states that “Ray Lewis had the manuscript with him in Japan in 1962, either acquired there or brought from India, […]. […] [I]n 1963 we joined with two friends, also very involved in efforts to acquire the [Avery] Brundage Collection, to buy the manuscript […].” “A year or so later,” the Page’s “bought the interest” from the unidentified co-owners.

  R. E. Lewis, Inc. (active 1952-1999) specialized in the sale of prints from the 15th to the 20th century, Japanese woodblock prints, and Indian miniature paintings. Founded by Raymond E. Lewis (1923-2005), the firm was first located at 555 Sutter Street in San Francisco, CA and later in San Rafael, CA. Mr. Lewis acquired objects in the United States and in Europe and his clients included private collectors and institutions, such as the Legion of Honor in San Francisco. The firm was dissolved in 1999 and works from their stock may now be found at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC and The British Museum, among others. Mr. Lewis’ daughter, Jan Lewis Slavid, established successor gallery R. E. Lewis & Daughter in 2000 in San Rafael, CA. The firm reincorporated in Beaverton, Oregon in 2021.

  [3] See note 2.

  Charles (1903-1997) and Mary Catherine ‘Kitty’ Page (née Hall) (1908-1996) were collectors of Chinese, Japanese, and Indian art from San Francisco, CA and Kentfield, Marin County, CA. Both descendants of California pioneering families, Mr. and Mrs. Page were married in 1933. Mr. Page graduated from Yale University in 1924 and returned to California in 1934 where he worked as an insurance broker for twenty-five years. Together the couple were founding members of the Society for Asian Art (established 1958) and aided in the acquisition of the Avery Brundage Collection of Asian Art for the Asian Art Museum, San Francisco. Additionally, Mr. Page was a trustee to several other San Francisco museums and the San Francisco Symphony.

  [4] See note 2.

  [5] See incoming receipt, dated December 24, 1985, copy in object file. The object was transferred from Charles and Catherine Page to the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery for acquisition consideration on December 24, 1985.

  See also the signed “Deed of Gift to the Arthur M. Sacker Gallery of the Smithsonian Institution,” copy in object file.

  Research updated September 27, 2023

• Collection

  National Museum of Asian Art Collection

• Exhibition History

  The Art of Knowing in South Asia, Southeast Asia, and the Himalayas (March 25, 2023 - ongoing)

  Art of India: Painting and Decorative Objects (July 30, 1988 to July 9, 1989)

• Previous custodian or owner

  Sarabhai Manilal Nawab (1907-1983)

  R. E. Lewis, Inc. (active 1952-1999)

  Charles and Catherine Page

• Origin

  Gujarat state, India

• Credit Line

  Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Page

• Type

  Manuscript

• Restrictions and Rights

  Usage Conditions Apply

  There are restrictions for re-using this media. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page.

  The information presented on this website may be revised and updated at any time as ongoing research progresses or as otherwise warranted. Pending any such revisions and updates, information on this site may be incomplete or inaccurate or may contain typographical errors. Neither the Smithsonian nor its regents, officers, employees, or agents make any representations about the accuracy, reliability, completeness, or timeliness of the information on the site. Use this site and the information provided on it subject to your own judgment. The National Museum of Asian Art welcomes information that would augment or clarify the ownership history of objects in their collections.

Keep Exploring

• Related Resources

  collections.si.edu

• Date

  1400s

• Name

  Nawab, Sarabhai Manilal, Page, Charles and Catherine, R. E. Lewis, Inc.

• Place

  Gujarat state, India

• Topic

  Heaven, Wars, Art, Moon, Outer space, Dreaming, Jainism, Birth, Lotus, Mothers, Throne, South Asian and Himalayan Art, Rites and ceremonies, Jina, Mahavira, King, Indra, Archery, Bulls, Monk, Gurus

• Culture

  Himalayan peoples, South Asians

• Object Type

  Manuscripts