Text, folio 168 (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

Dominant colour

Text, folio 168 (verso), 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 block covered in tiny, sharp letters carved into the surface. The letters are arranged in neat rows, filling the entire length of the block. The wood looks worn, with a few small holes or marks where the letters might have broken over time. This block was used to stamp text onto paper or fabric—like a giant stamp pad. The letters are all the same style, suggesting it was made to copy a specific religious text. Check out The Cleveland Museum of Art to see this up close.