Sutra Cover
Unknown Artist
17th century
Medium
Silk satin damask
Dimensions
14 x 5 in. (35.56 x 12.70 cm)
Classification
Textiles-Woven
Culture
China
Department
Asian Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Rogers Fund, 1946
Accession Number
46.186.23
Tags
Art Historical Context
This exquisite *Sutra Cover* from17th-century China, crafted by an unknown artist, served as a protective wrapper for Buddhist sutras—sacred scriptures central to spiritual practice. Measuring a compact 14 x 5 inches, it reflects the Qing dynasty's early refinement in textiles, where such covers symbolized devotion and safeguarded holy texts during rituals or storage. Produced during a time of cultural flourishing under Manchu rule, it highlights China's enduring fusion of artistry and religion. Woven from luxurious silk satin damask, the cover showcases a sophisticated technique where satin ...