King Mindon Making Offerings to the Sangha

MYANMAR

This illustration is part of a mid-19th century Burmese manuscript that records and illustrates the donations made to the Sangha between 1854 and 1856 by King Mindon (reigned 1853–1878) of the Konbaung dynasty (1752–1885). This manuscript contains 36 folds, each measuring 54 cm in height and 24.5 cm in width.
There is a large red mat in the center of the image, on the upper left part of which are King Mindon and his queen, seated on a yellow mat fronted by a row of offerings. More offerings, including daily necessities, gilded manuscript chests, palm-leaf manuscripts, bedding, mosquito nets, spices, candles, and brooms, are shown arranged in orderly groups above the king and queen. Large groups of kneeling figures with joined palms are portrayed on the left and right side of the red mat. On the left side of the illustration, there is a row of monks, whose faces are hidden by giant fans, receiving the offerings. Imperial guards are shown on the far left and right.
The Burmese text at the bottom of the image records details of the cost incurred for the offerings. The text also gives an account of the procedure for making the offerings, which included the king cleansing the vicinity with blessed water and calling upon the earth to witness the event.