Manuscript chest with scenes from the life of Gotama Buddha

Teak chest (sadaik) with thayo (lacquer putty) low relief decoration applied on the front and sides. Lacquered with some gilding remaining. The scenes depicted are from the life of the Buddha. Front top shows the prince departing from the palace. Front centre is of Prince Siddhartha taking a last look at his sleeping wife, Yasodhara, and son, Rahula. On the right side of the chest are three of the four sights - a monk, an old man, and a sick man. The left side shows Siddhartha cutting off his hair while the groom looks on. Indra collects the hair which floats in mid air. Below is the Anoma River. At the bottom the prince's horse and groom sadly begin their return to the city.