Text, Folio 59 (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 59 (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, narrow wooden strip with three rectangular sections. Each section has rows of tiny, evenly spaced holes in black ink. The wood looks worn, and two small white dots line up near the ends. The holes aren’t random—they’re arranged in precise patterns, like a code. This isn’t a painting but something used to help people read or write. Check out The Cleveland Museum of Art to see how this object was used.