TWO TRADITIONAL BUDDHIST PAINTINGS, RATTANAKOSIN KINGDOM (1782-1932), 19TH CENTURY
Lot 1506 - AK0126

Thailand. Ink, watercolors, and gold paint on cloth. Each is finely painted with great attention to detail.

The first depicting The Buddha seated in dhyanasana on a throne with his hands lowered in dhyana mudra, surrounded by bodhisattvas and celestial beings in front of a temple surrounded by rocks, above a standing Buddha and attendant descending on a golden staircase into another realm with apsaras and worshippers.

The second depicting a procession with deities and noblemen riding caparisoned elephants and soldiers marching straight ahead, surrounded by lush trees and rockwork.

Provenance: French trade. Acquired from an estate near Brescia, Italy.
Condition: Good condition with wear, soiling, creasing, minute losses. The frames with expected signs of wear and age.

Dimensions: Image diameter 43.5 cm, Size incl. frame 61.5 x 61.5 cm (each)

Each mounted and set inside a vintage frame behind glass. (4)

The style and technique of this painting parallel the development of the mural painting tradition from the Bangkok/Rattanakosin era, itself based on the Ayutthaya tradition. The color palette, use of gold leaf, the linear depiction of the figures, palace buildings and decorative motifs as well as the expression of spatial awareness through the use of an isometric perspective, are rooted in this heritage. See Elizabeth Lyons, 'Thai Traditional Painting', Thai Culture, New Series, No. 20, 1990.

The Thai monarchy played a crucial role in the development of murals during the Rattanakosin period, particularly under the patronage of early Chakri dynasty kings. The murals were not just religious or artistic endeavors but also a means of consolidating royal authority, reinforcing Buddhist values, and preserving Thai cultural identity. King Rama I (1782-1809) commissioned murals in major temples, particularly Wat Phra Kaew and Wat Pho, to depict the Ramakien (Thailand’s version of the Ramayana), Buddhist cosmology, and Jataka tales. Under King Rama II (1809-1824), mural painting techniques became more refined. He was a major patron of Buddhist art, funding extensive mural works in temples like Wat Arun and Wat Ratchanatdaram, blending traditional Thai and Chinese elements. The interiors of Thai temples such as Wat Pho and Wat Arun feature Buddhist iconography, celestial beings, scenes from the Ramakien, and traditional Thai cosmology. These murals also illustrate Thai medicinal knowledge and daily life during the early Rattanakosin period.

Auction result comparison:
Type: Closely related
Auction: Bonhams Hong Kong, 29 March 2019, lot 46
Estimate: HKD 30,000 or approx. EUR 4,000 (for one) converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A traditional thai painting on cloth depicting a scene from the Theragata, Thailand, 19^th century
Expert remark: Compare the closely related manner of painting. Note the different format and size (88 x 88 cm).