Elephant with Buddhas

THAILAND

The elephant, particularly the white elephant, has played an important role in the culture and history of Thailand. According to the Caryanidana Sutra, just before Queen Maya’s conception of Siddhartha, she dreamed of a Bodhisattva riding a white elephant and entering her womb. The howdah, or seat, is silver and represents the white elephant, symbolizing purity and compliance. According to the inscriptions in front of and underneath the howdah, it was an offering to a monastery by Chao Mae Buathip and a friend.
The standing elephant has a ceremonial head covering. Its long trunk curls inward at the end, and there a golden bell hanging around the neck. Three Buddhas are seated in the howdah, each appearing similar in shape and size. All wear tall crowns and are seated upon high thrones. A four-tier canopy and finial are suspended high above the howdah.