Extremely Rare Vintage ORIGINAL Burmese, Buddhists, Myanmar, Parabik Tattoo Flash Book. A True Piece Of Tattoo History ANTIQUE!
THIS IS A GRAIL, CENTERPIECE OF ANY TATTOO FLASH COLLECTION!!!!!!!
THIS IS A MUSEUM PIECE, A RELIC FOR A SERIOUS COLLECTOR, OR FOR INVESTMENT PURPOSES. This book is an ancient piece of Tattoo History, it is not a modern reproduction, or copy. Please do your due diligence, and research to understand what you are purchasing here before buying or making an offer.
I have 2 of these available at the moment, and have sold several in the past, (I AM ALWAYS LOOKING TO PURCHASE MORE OF THESE IF YOU HAVE ONE AVAILABLE). Similar books where featured on an episode of Pawn Stars, Season 16, for reference purposes.
Please keep in mind, I am a collector, and reseller and not a pawn shop. I have enjoyed owning these books, but am willing to let them go for the right deal, very few are available and when they do appear command a premium, and are always INCREASING IN VALUE. This is from my personal collection, I am in no hurry to sell, but will entertain serious offers.
Please Feel Free To Contact Me With Any Questions Or Concerns, I purchased these books from Sotheby's, so I know they are 100% Authentic.
A MUST HAVE FOR ANY COMPLETE TATTOO COLLECTION, MUSEUM, OR ART COLLECTION.
34 hand painted illustrations on saa paper in accordion book, pattern for Tattoo artist. Covers are Hand Carved Wood.
Size: 6 1/2" x 4" (Inches), When Closed x 69" (Inches approximately), long when fully extended.
Made in Burma, Please see pictures for condition.
WILL SHIP INSURED, SIGNATURE REQUIRED! I listed shipping at $29.99 domestic, to cover these expenses, if it cost less, I will gladly refund the difference, If it cost more, I will eat the additional cost.
Local Pick Up Is Available If You Prefer To Examine It In Person, Prior To Purchase.
Burmese Parabaik
(Burmese Tattoo Book)
Parabaik, (accordion, or concertina-style) book.
Book of Tattoo Design, double sided images, embellished cover, accordion fold.
The art of tattoo in Southeast Asia, especially in Burma, encompasses ritual as well as decoration.
Acquiring tattoos at the Buddhist Temple would ensure the owner of protection, a permanent talisman, or give the warrior further courage in battle, as well as be a culturally decorative adornment.
The Book made from foldout mulberry (saa) paper with sacred symbols of mythology, as well as numerology and sacred Buddhist texts.
Tattoos have long been an important part of Myanmar (Burmese) culture. Legend has it that tattoos were first introduced to what was then called Burma around 200 BCE by ethnic minorities that migrated to the area from southwest China.
Tattooing was/is a very important part of belonging to Myanmar, and everyone from the kings to commoners would get work done, and continue to do so even today. Early on tattoos were a way of showing off masculine strength as well as feminine beauty, on top of cultural identity and aesthetic appeal. Lots of tattooed people also believed (like many ancient cultures) that tattoos would serve as a protection from evil and that they (tattoos) could protect the wearer from harm. Being largely a Buddhist country (90% of the population is Buddhist), Buddhist tattoos have also been important in the area. Tattoos related to Buddhism would often be created at temples by monks, thus ensuring that the wearer would be protected from harm.
Early on in Myanmar’s history it was mainly the Shan, A Ta’I ethnic group that were getting tattooed the most frequently. The Shan States still dominate Northeast Myanmar today. Men would mainly get their waists down towards their knees tattooed as a sign of virility. Early on it’s believed that both men and women were tattooed frequently, but by the mid 1600’s only women were mainly receiving facial tattoos, particularly women of the Chin State in Western Myanmar. The women of the M’uun tribe are easily recognizable with the looping “P” or “D” shaped tattoos on their faces, along with the “Y” on their foreheads. The M’kaan women have lines on both their foreheads and chins. There are six tribes in total in the area where facial tattoos were popular for women, though sadly in the 1960’s this practice was outlawed and when these women pass away a piece of history will die with them.
Other common motifs for tattooing in Myanmar include cats of various sizes from house cats to tigers, dragons, geometric patterns, and figures from Myanmar’s and Buddhism’s history and culture.
Information from “Tattoo Art in Myanmar Culture: Special Reference with State Bondsmen of Cavalry Corps 2016” written by Moe Moe Oo from the Ministry of Education, Myanmar, and Tattoo Art in Burmese Cultures: History, Technique, Design, and Symbolic Functions of Tattooing in Burma/Myanmar.
Hand-poked tattoos are tattoos made without the use of tattoo machines. While they are created with the same supplies as machine tattoos, stick 'n poke artists push needle and ink into the skin manually, without the aid of a machine.