Text, Folio 36 (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 36 (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 is a long, narrow wooden block covered in tiny, precise holes arranged in neat rows. The holes look like they’re meant to hold ink or paint, forming patterns when pressed. Two small metal pins stick out near the center, maybe to hold the block in place. The block is labeled with numbers and letters—"36" and "R"—which likely help match it to a larger set. This kind of tool was used to print text or designs over and over. Look up The Cleveland Museum of Art to see where this block is kept.