Thailand - Buddha Jataka - Rattanakosin - 18th

Representation in gilded bronze of the seated Buddha in the European "pralambapadasana" style. He is seated on a rock, his left hand resting on his thigh, his right palm open facing an elephant and a monkey prostrating before him and bringing him offerings (fruit and honey). Molded clay piece. This unusual iconographic theme is an illustration of an episode in the lives of the Buddha (jataka), during which, thwarted by the disputes of the monks of the community, he decides to retire alone to the forest of Palilaya. There, the Palilayaka elephant went to his service, supplying him daily with fruit and water. Having observed the elephant, a monkey also decided to serve the Buddha by bringing him cells from a beehive filled with honey. Faced with the Buddha's refusal, the monkey observed his offering and understood that larvae were still inside and that the Buddha could not destroy lives. He therefore decided to clarify the honey which the Buddha then accepted… Jumping for joy among the formwork to see his honey accepted and eaten by the Buddha, the monkey killed himself by falling from the top of a tree. The elephant Palilayaka accompanied the Buddha to the edge of the forest from where the Buddha dissuaded him from going out by exposing him to the cruelty of men. The elephant died shortly afterwards of sadness at finding himself alone. Back in his community, the Buddha found the tensions between monks appeased. Very good general condition except for a lack on the flame of the ushnisha - Partial wear of the gold due to the passage of time. Thailand – Period: Rattanakosin Kingdom (1782-1932) – 18th. Dimensions: Height: 34.5 cm; Length: 23cm; width: 13 cm. Provenance: French Art Market.