The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of July 18, 2026

A fragmented, horizontal palm leaf manuscript is inscribed with blocks of black Indic script. Four lines of text flank a red-bordered square ink and gum tempera painting on our right. Inside, a monk with light skin sits on a chair facing a woman kneeling on the ground. Clad in a red patterned garment, she raises her hands. The tan, striated leaf, featuring irregular edges and a central hole, serves as the background.

Monk Teaching Lay Disciple: Colophon page from a Kalpa-sutra and Story of Kalakacharya of Devachandra

1279

Western India, Gujarat, Patan

(Anahillapura), reign of King Sarangadeva of the Vaghela dynasty (1275-1297)
Gum tempera and ink on palm leaf
Overall: 4.7 x 35.6 cm (1 7/8 x 14 in.)
Purchase from the J. H. Wade Fund 1971.124
Location: Not on view

Description

Before the use of paper, Indian books were written on palm leaves, bound by a string passed through the hole in the middle of the pages, which were turned horizontally. Often the paintings do not reference the story of the text because they may have functioned as adornments rather than illustrations. Virtuous scenes, such as a layman venerating a Jain monk, as seen on this page, were apparently thought to beautify a sacred text and made it more costly and visually appealing. By adding painted adornments, a donor can accrue greater religious merit.
  • Paintings of Bikaner – Indian Gallery 242 Rotation. The Cleveland Museum of Art (organizer) (November 7, 2019-April 5, 2020).
    (December 31, 2013–June 30, 2014). (1971.118.7.a)
    Main Asian Rotation (Gallery 245). The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH
  • {{cite web|title=Monk Teaching Lay Disciple: Colophon page from a Kalpa-sutra and Story of Kalakacharya of Devachandra|url=false|author=|year=1279|access-date=18 July 2026|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}

Source URL:

https://www.clevelandart.org/art/1971.124