Thai Bronze Buddhist Devotional Plaque showing the Palileyyaka Forest Story

This large devotional plaque probably was commissioned by a devotee or a Thai monk from a local brass caster and the plaque was then donated to a monastery. In this regard, it is like a much larger version of the small votive and talismanic plaques that Thai people traditionally have worn on necklaces around their necks.

The plaque is cast in high relief with a central Buddha. The lower register has monkeys giving offerings of honey to the Buddha.

A monkey reaches out to honeycomb above the main Buddha – an unusual innovation on the part of the caster.

The top register of the plaque has seven small Buddhas for each day of the week.

The foot of plaque has been cast with attendants, an elephant, two monkeys and a tortoise, all in three dimensions.

The broad theme of the plaque is the Palileyyaka Jataka, a story from one of the past lives of the Buddha set in the Palileyyaka Forest. In the Palileyyaka forest, a monkey witnesses an elephant attending to the Buddha and offering him water and fruit (this is shown on the plaque). The monkey decides to follow this example and so finds some honeycomb and offers it to the Buddha (also shown).

The Buddha accepts the honeycomb but then doesn’t eat it. The monkey, concerned, removes bee larvae from the honeycomb, and then offers it again. This time the  Buddha accepts the honey, and the monkey is delighted. But the monkey’s joy soon leads to an accident. The monkey leaps from tree to tree but falls to his death. He is immediately reborn in a higher heaven however, on account of his devotion.

This event is one of the Eight Great Miracles of the Buddha’s life and the monkey’s actions are seen as a parable for selfless giving and devotion. 

The monkey’s offering is celebrated in Buddhist festivals, especially Madhu Purnima, which is observed in Thailand especially by the Mon people who are concentrated in provinces south and west of Bangkok. Possibly, this plaque is an example of later Mon casting.

The reverse has three long sprues. There are several casting holes here and there, and dust remains in the crevices. The plaque has been cast with a foot and so is able to stand freely. Overall, this is an unusual plaque and probably was a one-off commission.