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 Detroit Institute of Arts preserves a single leaf from a yellowed Tantric manuscript titled the Sangrahani Sutra.

About this work

Overview

The Detroit Institute of Arts preserves a single leaf from a yellowed Tantric manuscript titled the Sangrahani Sutra. The page is densely covered with black characters in an unfamiliar script, arranged in tight rows. Interspersed among the text are thin red lines and symbolic marks that punctuate the surface, suggesting a ritual or liturgical function.

Subject & Meaning

The manuscript appears to be a religious work, likely associated with Tantric traditions of South or Southeast Asia. The presence of red markings alongside the script indicates passages of particular significance, perhaps prayers, invocations, or instructional cues used in ceremonial contexts. The dense textual layout reflects the transmission of esoteric teachings.

Technique & Style

The page is executed on a thin, aged paper that has acquired a yellowed patina. Ink is applied in a uniform black hue, forming tightly spaced characters typical of manuscript production in the region. Red pigment, applied as fine lines and symbols, contrasts with the black text, a common visual strategy to highlight doctrinal elements.

History & Provenance

The leaf is catalogued as part of the Detroit Institute of Arts’ collection of Asian manuscripts. While the precise origin and date are not specified, its material condition and script suggest it was produced before the modern era, likely within a monastic or scholarly setting before entering the museum’s holdings through acquisition or donation.

Context

Tantric manuscripts such as the Sangrahani Sutra were traditionally used in meditative and ritual practices, often circulated among initiated practitioners. The dense script and highlighted passages reflect a pedagogical approach designed for oral recitation or private study, situating the object within the broader corpus of esoteric Buddhist or Hindu literature.