Artwork
Text, Folio 60 (recto), from a Manuscript of the Perfection of Wisdom in Eight Thousand Lines (Ashtasahasrika Prajnaparamita-sutra)
Text, Folio 60 (recto), from a Manuscript of the Perfection of Wisdom in Eight Thousand Lines (Ashtasahasrika Prajnaparamita-sutra) is an unspecified painting by Unknown. It dates from 14 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
This artwork is a wooden board, Folio 60 (recto), from a Nepalese manuscript of the Ashtasahasrika Prajnaparamita-sutra, a Buddhist text on the Perfection of Wisdom. The long, narrow board features three rectangular sections with evenly spaced tiny holes.
Subject & Meaning
The subject is a tool for scribing Buddhist scriptures, specifically designed to aid monks in maintaining uniform line spacing while handwriting the Ashtasahasrika Prajnaparamita-sutra, a key text in Mahayana Buddhism focusing on the perfection of wisdom.
Technique & Style
Characterized by its functional design, the board's grid of tiny holes served as a guide for consistent handwriting. The worn wood and metal rings (for hanging or carrying) reflect practical use over aesthetic embellishment.
History & Provenance
Originating from Nepal, this board represents a traditional method of manuscript production in the region. Specific historical ownership or creation dates are not provided, but it aligns with practices common in Nepalese Buddhist scriptoria.
Context
Comparable to other objects in The Cleveland Museum of Art's collection, this board illustrates the meticulous, labor-intensive process of preserving and disseminating Buddhist teachings through handwritten manuscripts.
Artist & collection
Domestic Scene
Giacomo and Cardinal Marco, investing Andrea, Abbot of San Zeno, with his Benefice
The Nymph of Fontainebleau
Portrait of a Woman
Madonna and Child with Saints in the Enclosed Garden
Venus and Minerva
Family Group of Four on Sofa
Wall painting from Room H of the Villa of P. Fannius Synistor at Boscoreale
Text, Folio 61 (recto), from a Manuscript of the Perfection of Wisdom in Eight Thousand Lines (Ashtasahasrika Prajnaparamita-sutra)
Text, Folio 70 (recto), from a Manuscript of the Perfection of Wisdom in Eight Thousand Lines (Ashtasahasrika Prajnaparamita-sutra)
Text, Folio 72 (verso), from a Manuscript of the Perfection of Wisdom in Eight Thousand Lines (Ashtasahasrika Prajnaparamita-sutra)
Text, Folio 83 (verso), from a Manuscript of the Perfection of Wisdom in Eight Thousand Lines (Ashtasahasrika Prajnaparamita-sutra)
Text, Folio 62 (verso), from a Manuscript of the Perfection of Wisdom in Eight Thousand Lines (Ashtasahasrika Prajnaparamita-sutra)
Text, Folio 57 (recto), from a Manuscript of the Perfection of Wisdom in Eight Thousand Lines (Ashtasahasrika Prajnaparamita-sutra)