Sutra Cover
Ming dynasty (1368–1644), c. 1590's
Medium
Silk, warp-float faced 2:1 'Z' twill weave self-patterned by ground wefts interlaced in weft float faced 1:5 'Z' twill interlacings
Dimensions
34.5 × 14.2 cm (13 1/2 × 5 1/2 in.); Repeat: 10.3 × 4.3 cm (4 1/8 × 1 3/4 in.)
Classification
textile
Department
Textiles
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
157334
Art Historical Context
This exquisite *Sutra Cover* from Ming dynasty (13681644), dating to around the 1590s, the pinnacle of Chinese silk weaving during a golden age of textile artistry. Crafted anonymously by master weavers, it served as a protective wrapper for Buddhist sutras—acred scriptures revered in East Asian religious practice. Measuring a compact 34.5 × 14.2 cm, its small scale belies the monumental skill involved, reflecting the Ming era's fusion of spiritual devotion and imperial refinement, when silk production flourished under patronage of the court and temples. The cover's medium is a marvel of tech...
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...