Artwork Page for Leaf from a Buddhist Manuscript (verso)

Details / Information for Leaf from a Buddhist Manuscript (verso)

Leaf from a Buddhist Manuscript (verso)

c. 1700

Sri Lanka, Singhalese, Late 17th century

View all records in artwork set
Medium
fiber paper
Measurements
Overall: 6.4 cm (2 1/2 in.)
Credit Line
Educational Purchase Fund 1949.227.16.b
Public Domain
You can copy, modify, and distribute this work, all without asking permission. Learn more about CMA's Open Access Initiative.
Location
Not on view
Print

Description

Palm leaf material is still used for manuscripts in Sri Lanka. The palm leaves are prepared first by boiling them, drying them in the sun, and then rubbing them with oils. Scribes then use a metal stylus to incise the text. Then charcoal powder is wiped across the pages, filling in only the inscribed lines.
Dense rows of rounded, undulating black-inked script cover this horizontally oriented tan fiber paper manuscript. Two circular holes are punched through the surface, framed by faint rings of red pigment. The material displays a prominent horizontal grain with darkened edges. The script's repetitive curves create a rhythmic texture across the narrow, rectangular leaf, punctuated by the punched voids and their faded crimson halos.

Leaf from a Buddhist Manuscript (verso)

c. 1700

Sri Lanka, Singhalese, Late 17th century

See Also

Visually Similar by AI

Contact Us

The information about this object, including provenance, may not be currently accurate. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please fill out the appropriate request form linked below:

Update or Correct Artwork Information

Imagery or Rights for Non-Open-Access Artworks

Report a Website Issue

Further Questions About This Artwork