Text, Folio 132 (verso), 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 132 (verso), 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 looks like a long, narrow wooden block with carved lines and dots. The surface is covered in tiny, repeating patterns—rows of symbols that look like letters or numbers. There are three sections separated by small gaps, and the wood has a worn, aged look. The symbols might be part of an old text, possibly a Buddhist scripture. The careful carving suggests this was meant to be copied or printed. Check out The Cleveland Museum of Art to see more of this piece.