Sutra Cover
Ming dynasty (1368–1644), c. 1590's
Medium
Silk and gold-leaf-over-lacquered-paper strip, plain weave with supplementary patterning wefts bound in weft-float faced 1:3 'Z' twill interlacings; label: silk, plain weave; painted with ink, glued over paper
Dimensions
33 × 11.7 cm (13 × 4 3/8 in.); Warp repeat: H.: 11 cm (4 3/8 in.)
Classification
textile
Department
Textiles
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
157634
Art Historical Context
This exquisite *Sutra Cover* from Ming dynasty (13681644), dating to around the 1590s, the era's mastery of textile artistry. During the Ming period, a golden age of cultural refinement, such covers protected sacred Buddhist sutras—scriptural texts central to spiritual practice. Crafted anonymously by skilled weavers, this small panel (33 × 11.7 cm) reflects the devotion poured into religious artifacts, blending functionality with opulent decoration. The cover's medium showcases innovative techniques: silk in a plain weave base, enriched with supplementary patterning wefts bound in intricate ...
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...