Who painted Tantric Manuscript "Sangrahani Sutra"?

Tantric Manuscript "Sangrahani Sutra" was painted by Unknown.

Where can I see Tantric Manuscript "Sangrahani Sutra"?

Tantric Manuscript "Sangrahani Sutra" is held by Detroit Institute of Arts.

Artwork

Tantric Manuscript "Sangrahani Sutra"

Tantric Manuscript "Sangrahani Sutra" is an unspecified painting by Unknown. It is held in the collection of the Detroit Institute of Arts. The object is a single leaf from an ancient manuscript identified as the Tantric "Sangrahani Sutra.

About this work

Overview

The object is a single leaf from an ancient manuscript identified as the Tantric "Sangrahani Sutra." It consists of a rectangular page with a yellow‑brown ground, black ink text arranged in a grid, and red lines that delineate rows and columns. Decorative motifs in blue and yellow frame the margins, indicating a careful, ornamental approach to the page’s composition.

Subject & Meaning

The inscribed material is a religious composition, likely a sutra or mantra associated with tantric practice. The language appears to be Sanskrit, though the specific script is not identified, and the text’s arrangement suggests it was intended for ritual recitation or scholarly study within a spiritual context.

Technique & Style

The scribe employed black ink for the main body of the text, while thin red strokes create a grid that structures the verses. Marginal ornamentation in blue and yellow pigments adds visual emphasis without obscuring the script. The use of a warm, aged paper or parchment background reflects typical materials of South Asian manuscript production.

History & Provenance

The page is catalogued as part of a collection of similar tantric manuscripts held by the Detroit Institute of Arts. Its precise origin, dating, and prior ownership are not detailed, but its inclusion in a museum collection indicates it was acquired through the institute’s acquisitions of South Asian religious texts.

Context

Tantric sutras such as the Sangrahani were composed for esoteric instruction, often circulated among monastic or initiatory circles. The structured layout and decorative borders are characteristic of manuscripts intended for both scholarly reference and ceremonial use, reflecting the integration of textual and visual elements in devotional literature.