Stunning Gouache with Gold Leaf Antique Thai Manuscipt Painting of Two Monks with Fans Gripping Throats (Story of Phra Mala?) United States crayon co Just a bit of rippling

Just a bit of rippling to the photo upon close inspection

I think it makes for quite a satisfying tabletop object just on its own--the wood is beautiful and the elongated egg form really elegant--though it would be fun to see it put to use as the topper for a whole new construction

but it's got a super warm presence

but also a wonderful sort of stoicism and powerful sort of clarity about it

which clearly it has been many many times

Stunning Gouache with Gold Leaf Antique Thai Manuscipt Painting of Two Monks with Fans Gripping Throats (Story of Phra Mala?) United States crayon co Just a bit of ripplingThis 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,