Text, folio 181 (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

Dominant colour

Text, folio 181 (recto), 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, wooden panel with three narrow sections. Each section has rows of tiny, square holes punched in a pattern—like a grid of dots. The wood looks worn, with two small metal rings on the sides. The holes aren’t random. They’re arranged to spell out text in an ancient script, likely meant to be read by holding it up to light. This kind of object was used to study sacred writings. Check out The Cleveland Museum of Art to see it in person.