Large bowl showing the Vessantara Jataka

The bowl is decorated with repousse work depicting three scenes from Vessantara Jataka, which is one of the most popular stories of Theravada Buddhism.

As legends tell us, the Bodhisattva, born as prince Vessantara was very much given to charity. Taking advantage of his philanthropic nature, the king of Kalinga, which was suffering from drought, sent some Brahmanas to beg for his favourite elephant, as the elephant was supposed to have the power of bringing rain. The prayer was duly granted and Vessantara made a gift of his elephant.

In the first compartment, King Sanjoy and his queen are seen seated with new born prince Vessantara and a white magical elephant placed at the back.

In the second compartment the prince and princess are seated on horse drawn chariot and in the last they are again found seated on the throne.