Buddhist scriptures, or sutras, that are bound accordion- are often protected with covers composed of paperboard wrapped in decorative silk. Titles and volume numbers appear on strips of paper adhered to the fabric. The use of silk for sutra covers dates...

Sutra Cover, Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), 16th - early 17th century. Silk satin weave with silk and gilt strip brocading wefts; a: 34.8 × 15.1 cm, b: 34.8 × 14.5 cm. Philadelphia Museum of Art, Gift of Miss Alice Boney, 1976-195-1a,b. Buddhist scriptures,...

Gold-etched lacquerware Sutra covers with décor of lotus petals and the Eight Treasures, Ming Dynasty, 15th Century. Length: 72.5cm Width: 26.3cm Height: 3.4cm © National Palace Museum, Taipei. There are two rectangular canon boards as a pair of sutra...

Sutra Cover, Ming dynasty, Wanli Period (1573-1620), 16th - early 17th century. Plain weave with supplementary gold strips, running rabbits and swastika, 13 3/8 × 5 inches (34 × 12.7 cm). Purchased with the John T. Morris Fund from the Carl Schuster Collection,...