Artwork

Text, folio 156 (recto), from a Manuscript of the Perfection of Wisdom in Eight Thousand Lines (Ashtasahasrika Prajnaparamita-sutra)

Text, folio 156 (recto), from a Manuscript of the Perfection of Wisdom in Eight Thousand Lines (Ashtasahasrika Prajnaparamita-sutra) is an unspecified painting by the Byzantine icon painting artist Unknown. It dates from 14 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

This artifact is a wooden board, folio 156 (recto), from an 8th-century manuscript of the Ashtasahasrika Prajnaparamita-sutra, a key Buddhist text. It features three rows of tiny metal letters in a language resembling Sanskrit, arranged in neat lines with varying textures (raised and flat). The worn wood bears small holes, suggesting it was once hung or attached.

Subject & Meaning

The subject is the textual content of the Prajnaparamita-sutra, a foundational Buddhist scripture emphasizing wisdom. The metal letters convey sacred teachings, indicating the board's role in disseminating religious knowledge.

Technique & Style

The board showcases a unique combination of materials: wooden base with metal letters of varying depths (raised and flat), arranged in orderly lines. This technique facilitated manual copying of the sacred text.

History & Provenance

Originating from an 8th-century manuscript, this folio's history is tied to the production and dissemination of Buddhist scriptures during this period. Specific provenance details are not provided.

Context

This artifact would have been used in a religious or scholarly setting for the replication of sacred texts, highlighting the importance of handwritten copying in pre-printing era Buddhist practices.

Legacy

As part of a larger manuscript, it contributes to the understanding of 8th-century Buddhist textual practices and the evolution of manuscript technology in ancient India or related regions.