Text, Folio 108 (recto), from a Manuscript of the Perfection of Wisdom in Eight Thousand Lines (Ashtasahasrika Prajnaparamita-sutra)

unspecified

From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art

Dominant colour

Text, Folio 108 (recto), from a Manuscript of the Perfection of Wisdom in Eight Thousand Lines (Ashtasahasrika Prajnaparamita-sutra) is a 14 unspecified by Unknown, held at Cleveland Museum of Art.

Who painted this?: Unknown
When & what style?: 14
Where can I see it?: Cleveland Museum of Art

About this work

This is a long, narrow wooden board covered in tiny, precise holes arranged in neat rows. The holes form blocks of text, like a grid of dots waiting to be connected. The wood looks worn, with two small metal rings on the sides—maybe for hanging or carrying. The holes spell out text in a language you probably don’t recognize. This isn’t a painting but a tool—likely used to help monks copy sacred writings by hand. The careful, uniform pattern suggests patience and tradition. If you’re curious about how this kind of object is preserved, check out The Cleveland Museum of Art.