Text, folio 173 (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 173 (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 carvings. The surface looks like rows of neat, repeating lines—almost like a grid of tiny squares and dots. Two small metal rings are attached to the sides, as if it could be hung or carried. The carvings are likely part of a Buddhist text, packed with script that fills every inch. The wood shows signs of age and use, with a warm, golden-brown color. If you’re curious about where to see it in person, check out The Cleveland Museum of Art.