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Top cover, from a Manuscript of the Perfection of Wisdom in Eight Thousand Lines (Ashtasahasrika Prajnaparamita-sutra), by Unknown, unspecified, 14

Top cover, from a Manuscript of the Perfection of Wisdom in Eight Thousand Lines (Ashtasahasrika Prajnaparamita-sutra)

Unknown

14

unspecified

From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art

Dominant colour

Overview

Top cover, 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

You see a wooden book cover painted with bright reds, blues, and golds—Buddha sits in the center, surrounded by smaller figures and swirling patterns. This cover wasn’t just for protection. People added spices, powders, and prayers to it over time, turning it into a sacred object. The wear shows how often it was handled in rituals. To see more like this, look up paintings: nepal, kathmandu, indian art.

The story of this work

Overview

Pieces of paper, sandalwood paste, vermilion powder, and spices like turmeric and saffron were ritually added to the top cover of this manuscript during its veneration in ceremonies honoring the Buddha’s teachings. Additionally, this wooden cover would have protected the fragile palm-leaf pages inside. A cord attached to a peg on the left side of the cover would have passed through the two binding holes and wrapped around the manuscript in order to evenly exert pressure and keep the leaves tight. The entire volume would have also been wrapped in cloth to further protect it from the elements…

Did you know?

Wooden covers of pothi manuscripts are called patli.

Read the full account in the museum source.

About the artist

More by Unknown

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