Text, Folio 27 (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

Byzantine icon painting Classical Antiquity Religious

Dominant colour

Text, Folio 27 (verso), 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 looks like a long wooden block with carved text. The surface is divided into three rectangular panels. Each panel has rows of tiny, sharp letters pressed into the wood. Two small circular holes are drilled near the edges, maybe for hanging or aligning. The text is very precise and uniform, like a puzzle made of words. This kind of block was used to print books before moveable type. The carving suggests it was made by hand, carefully and slowly. Check out The Cleveland Museum of Art to see more examples of early printing blocks.