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 1949.227.41.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.
A horizontally oriented tan fiber leaf features several rows of flowing, rounded black script. Two circular red diagrams with central holes interrupt the text, positioned on the left and right. Occasional red horizontal lines underline portions of the fading ink. The aged, fibrous surface is densely packed with characters that stretch across the narrow, rectangular page, with the diagrams providing the only major visual breaks.

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