Text, folio 156 (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 156 (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 wooden board with three rows of tiny metal letters. The letters are arranged in neat lines, some raised and some flat. The wood looks worn, with small holes for hanging or attaching it. The letters are used to write text in a language that looks like Sanskrit. This was likely a tool for copying religious writings by hand. Look up The Cleveland Museum of Art to see more objects like this.