Text, Folio 119 (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

Byzantine icon painting Classical Antiquity Religious

Dominant colour

Text, Folio 119 (recto), from a Manuscript of the Perfection of Wisdom in Eight Thousand Lines (Ashtasahasrika Prajnaparamita-sutra) is a 14 unspecified by Unknown, a Byzantine icon painting work, held at Cleveland Museum of Art.

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

About this work

This is a long, narrow wooden block covered in tiny, precise dots. The dots form neat rows of text, like raised Braille but sharper. The wood has a warm brown color, and the dots are dark against it. These dots aren’t just decoration—they’re a way to write. The text is part of a Buddhist scripture, carved so it could be felt as well as seen. If you’re curious about where to see it, check out The Cleveland Museum of Art.