八思巴文鐡牌|Safe Conduct Pass (Paiza) with Inscription in Phakpa Script

Unknown

late 13th century · Iron with silver inlay · Asian Art

The openwork inscription on this circular plaque has been filled with silver to the extent that the characters project from the surface of the plaque on both sides; the inscription on the reverse is thus inverted. The type of script—used early on to write the Mongol language—is named for its inventor, Phakpa (1235–1280), the Tibetan monk and scholar who served as the imperial preceptor for the Mongol court during the reign of Khubilai Khan (1215–94). The inscription reads, “By the strength of Eternal Heaven, an edict of the Emperor [Khan]. He who has not respect shall be guilty.” The form of the pass (paiza), with its animal mask decoration, is similar to that of a Tibetan mirror for reflecting evil.

Artist

Unknown

Date

late 13th century

Medium

Iron with silver inlay

Culture

China

Department

Asian Art

Credit line

Purchase, Bequest of Dorothy Graham Bennett, 1993