Prayer Board
15th/17th century
Medium
Wood
Dimensions
9.5 × 48 × 2.5 cm (3 3/4 × 18 15/16 × 1 in.)
Classification
wood
Department
Arts of Asia
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
11698
Art Historical Context
Nestled in the Art Institute of Chicago's Arts of Asia collection, this unassuming *Prayer Board* exemplifies the understated elegance of anonymous craftsmanship from 15th- or 17th-century Asia. Carved from wood, it measures a modest 9.5 × 48 × 2.5 cm, suggesting it was designed for intimate, personal devotion rather than grand display. Its elongated, rectangular form hints at portability, ideal for use in home altars or portable shrines during travel or daily rituals. Likely rooted in Buddhist or indigenous spiritual traditions prevalent across East Asia during this era—spanning the late Min...
About the Artist
Unknown
The artist designated as "Unknown" in our virtual museum's collection exemplifies a poignant chapter in art history: creators whose identities have faded into obscurity despite the enduring power of their work. With only one known artwork attributed to them in our holdings, this figure represents countless anonymous hands that shaped visual culture across centuries. Museums worldwide, including th...