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Phra Malai manuscript
Phra Malai manuscripts recount and illustrate the history of the monk Phra Malai, who traveled to heaven and hell, as a result of supernatural powers he acquired through meditation. He returned to earth to preach about what he had seen. Phra Malai manuscripts were produced in large numbers beginning in the late 18th century.
This example includes most of the conventional subjects depicted in Phra Malai manuscripts: the gods Brahma and Indra, hell scenes, a supplicant presenting lotus flowers to Phra Malai, the Culamani stupa in heaven, devas, a meditation scene, and monks praying. The illustrations are presented in eight pairs having red and yellow striped borders and a colophon at the conclusion of the text naming the donors: Nang Khli and Nai Pho.
Provenance
Provenance (from the French provenir, 'to come from/forth') is the chronology of the ownership, custody, or location of a historical object.
Martha and Earl Galleher, Baltimore, Maryland, acquired in Bangkok, 1966; given to Walters Art Museum, 1991.
Exhibitions
| 1995 | Unearthly Elegance: Buddhist Art from the Griswold Collection. The Walters Art Gallery, Baltimore. |
Measurements
Overall (folded): 10.4 x 60.8 cm
Credit Line
Gift of Martha and Earl Galleher in memory of her uncle, James H. W. Thompson, 1991
Location in Museum
Not on view
Accession Number
In libraries, galleries, museums, and archives, an accession number is a unique identifier assigned to each object in the collection.
In libraries, galleries, museums, and archives, an accession number is a unique identifier assigned to each object in the collection.
W.819