This is a leaf, or maybe should be called two leaves, as it is hinged across the center, from a Thai manuscript folding book (samut khol), later 19th century I believe, gouache, ink and gold leaf on heavy (light board weight) paper. I purchased it along with one other from the same manuscript, listed separately, and believe they may be illustrating episodes from the legend of Phra Mala, a core text of Theravada Buddhist teaching in Southeast Asia, especially in Thailand. In the story, Phra Malai, a Buddhist monk who accumulated so much merit that he acquired supernatural abilities, travels to the various hells, where he meets suffering denizens and is implored to have their living relatives make merit on their behalf--and these two certainly look to be suffering!!!! Richer and more lush feeling in hand, I find this just completely striking and really quite electric; fantastic colors and bold, architectural composition animated with fine details--but mostly it is about their faces and gestures, the visceral-ness of their agony, heightened even more by the delicacy of the fans in their hands and that delicious matte white ground. I could look at this all day.
12 1/4" x 9". Good condition, hinged along center horizontal. General wear, soiling and scattered stains, with what looks to be a little water staining/red paint bleed at lower right. Stable and sound.
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