Seated in “dhyanasana” on an elaborated throne, the face in serene expression turning into the meditation, his right hand in the “bhumisparshamudra’ gesture, the other holding a little cup. The bronze finely worked. Use of gilding, traces of red polychromy, fixing rings backward.
“Phra Malai” is a buddhist monk of the “Theravada” tradition said to have attained supernatural powers through his accumulated merit and meditation; he was able to fly up to the heavens or down to hell and to return to earth.
In Thai art “Phra Malai” figures were very popular, often showing the compassionate monk stand holding a buddhist fan or teaching the hell-beings about Karma…