Original Framed Thai Buddhist Manuscript illustration, c. 19th Century.

Original Framed Thai Buddhist Manuscript illustration, c. 19th Century.

A very attractive example of Thai Buddhist manuscript painting from late 19th/early 20th Century.

This illustration would originally have been part of a concertina style Buddhist manuscript, all hand painted on a fibrous hand made paper - probably mulberry bark saa paper. The image here would have been one of a pair of images - one would have been on the left side of the manuscript page and this one on the right hand side. Between the 2 images would be a Thai Buddhist text – perhaps in this case, one of the Jataka tales.

The image features 2 beautiful Thai ladies examining gold jewellery, under the branches of a tree.

The manuscript painting is framed in a modern gilt frame, behind glass, with a red silk recessed mount with gold leaf interior. With hanging wire at rear.

The painting is in good condition with minor wear and central crease (from the original manuscript fold). The top right corner is frayed exposing the fibrous paper, but these damages are not unusual for age. One pin sized hole near the left lady's shoulder.

Framed weight approximately 1.5kg unpacked.

Dimensions:

Outer frame size: Approximately 433mm high x 345mm wide x 30mm deep (c. 17 inches high x 13.5 inches wide).

Image size: 266mm high x 180mm wide (entirely consistent with the expected image size of illustrations used original manuscripts from this period).

Provenance: Private Scottish collection.