Sutra Cover
Ming dynasty (1368–1644), c. 1590's
Medium
Silk, warp-float faced 4:1 satin weave with supplementary patterning wefts bound in weft-float faced 1:4 satin interlacings
Dimensions
36.2 × 14.6 cm (14 1/4 × 5 3/4 in.); Repeat: 19.3 × 11.1 cm (7 5/8 × 4 3/8 in.)
Classification
textile
Department
Textiles
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
157340
Art Historical Context
This exquisite *Sutra Cover* from China's Ming dynasty (1368–1644), dating to around the 1590s, served as a protective wrapper for Buddhist sutra scrolls—sacred texts central to spiritual practice. Crafted during a period of unparalleled artistic refinement, it reflects the era's reverence for Buddhism and mastery of silk production, a cornerstone of Chinese imperial culture. At just 36.2 × 14.6 cm, its compact size made it ideal for portable scriptures carried by monks or stored in temple libraries. The cover's medium showcases extraordinary weaving prowess: a warp-float faced 4:1 satin weav...
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...