Panel
late 18th century - early 19th century (made)
| Place of origin |
Rectangular: edged above and below with a triangular projecting fillet and a scrollwork moulding at the top. The design is in very low relief, and illustrates two scenes from the Jataka story of Prince Vessantara - the penultimate incarnation of the Buddha as Prince Vessantara (the embodiment of charity).
In the centre of the panel is a chariot drawn by two oxen, seated in which is the Prince and his wife Queen Maddi, his son Jali and his daughter Kanhajina.
Kneeling before the chariot is the mendicant Brahmin to whom the Prince gave the chariot in charity.
Behind this Brahmin is another standing, perhaps Jujaka to whom the Prince gave his two children seen named in the upper left side of the panel.
To the right are two horsemen, perhaps retainers of the Prince.
In the bottom left corner is a lion, possibly the lion who appeared to Maddi.
All the remaining field is covered with elaborate floral and foliate scrollwork, flying birds etc. A border - a continuous foliate scrollwork encloses the central scenes.
In the centre of the panel is a chariot drawn by two oxen, seated in which is the Prince and his wife Queen Maddi, his son Jali and his daughter Kanhajina.
Kneeling before the chariot is the mendicant Brahmin to whom the Prince gave the chariot in charity.
Behind this Brahmin is another standing, perhaps Jujaka to whom the Prince gave his two children seen named in the upper left side of the panel.
To the right are two horsemen, perhaps retainers of the Prince.
In the bottom left corner is a lion, possibly the lion who appeared to Maddi.
All the remaining field is covered with elaborate floral and foliate scrollwork, flying birds etc. A border - a continuous foliate scrollwork encloses the central scenes.
Object details
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Teak-wood coated with black thitsi lacquer onto which fine thayo (relief moulded lacquer) has been applied and further painted with black lacquer and gilded. |
| Brief description | Burmese teak, thayo (relief moulded), black lacquer and gilded panel from a Buddhist sadaik (manuscript chest). Konbaung Dynasty (1752-1885). Decorated with scenes from the Vessantara Jataka set against a dense background of foliate designs. ca. late 18th/early 19th century. |
| Physical description | Rectangular: edged above and below with a triangular projecting fillet and a scrollwork moulding at the top. The design is in very low relief, and illustrates two scenes from the Jataka story of Prince Vessantara - the penultimate incarnation of the Buddha as Prince Vessantara (the embodiment of charity). In the centre of the panel is a chariot drawn by two oxen, seated in which is the Prince and his wife Queen Maddi, his son Jali and his daughter Kanhajina. Kneeling before the chariot is the mendicant Brahmin to whom the Prince gave the chariot in charity. Behind this Brahmin is another standing, perhaps Jujaka to whom the Prince gave his two children seen named in the upper left side of the panel. To the right are two horsemen, perhaps retainers of the Prince. In the bottom left corner is a lion, possibly the lion who appeared to Maddi. All the remaining field is covered with elaborate floral and foliate scrollwork, flying birds etc. A border - a continuous foliate scrollwork encloses the central scenes. |
| Dimensions |
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| Style | |
| Credit line | Bought from F.E. Dempster Esq., 1 Kensington Gardens Square, W.2 |
| Object history | Historical significance: This sadaik was used to hold a smaller casket into which was stored a volume of the Buddhist Sacred Scripture - possibly the story of Prince Vessantara. Bought from F.E. Dempster Esq., 1 Kensington Gardens Square, W.2. This acquisition information reflects that found in the Museum records (Asia Department registers and/or Central Inventory) as part of a 2023 provenance research project. R.P. 1922- 2427 |
| Production | Attribution note: Formerly the front portion of a Burmese Buddhist sadaik (religious manuscript chest). |
| Bibliographic reference | See Jataka, by Cowell and House, vol VI, no 547 |
| Other number | RP 1922/2427 - RF number |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | IM.40-1922 |
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| Record created | November 8, 2000 |
| Record URL |
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