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, composed on a yellowed paper support.
About this work
Overview
The object is a single leaf from an ancient manuscript, composed on a yellowed paper support. The page is organized into two parallel columns separated by a thin red line, and the text is rendered in black ink. Certain words or phrases receive additional emphasis through red underlining or highlighting, suggesting a liturgical or instructional purpose within a religious tradition.
Subject & Meaning
The content appears to be a religious or philosophical discourse associated with the Tantric tradition, as indicated by the title “Sangrahani Sutra.” The formal, possibly ritualistic language and the use of visual emphasis imply that the passage was intended for recitation or study by initiated practitioners, conveying doctrinal or meditative instructions.
Technique & Style
The manuscript employs a straightforward columnar layout, a common format for scriptural texts in South Asian traditions.
The manuscript employs a straightforward columnar layout, a common format for scriptural texts in South Asian traditions. Black ink provides the primary script, while red pigment is used both for a dividing line and for highlighting, a technique that aids readability and signals important passages. The paper’s aged, yellowed appearance reflects long-term exposure and the material practices of manuscript production.
History & Provenance
The manuscript’s script and language remain unidentified, and no definitive dating has been established. Its preservation on yellowed paper suggests considerable age, likely several centuries. The work’s origin, ownership history, and the cultural context of its creation have not been documented, leaving its provenance open to further scholarly investigation.
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