Text, folio 158 (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 158 (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 block with three raised sections. Each section has rows of tiny, sharp letters carved into it. The letters look like they’re meant for printing, and the wood has a few small holes drilled near the edges. The block is used for printing Buddhist texts, which explains why the letters are packed so tightly. It’s a practical tool, not a decorative piece—just a way to make copies of important writings. If you want to see more like this, check out The Cleveland Museum of Art.