
Wood with mother-of-pearl
This wooden sutra cabinet is lacquered in black and inlaid with mother-of-pearl. It stands on a base with four legs and tapers slightly from the base to the top. Its edges are decorated with diamond shapes, and on all sides there are three large circles in columns. Each circle has an image of either a Naga King or Rama. The outer ring of the circles has a flower design.
This sutra cabinet was modeled after the doors of the Ordination Hall in Wat Phra Sri Rattana Mahathat, which was rebuilt by King Boromakot (reigned 1733–1758). It has an intricate geometrical design and is an excellent example of lacquer work from Thailand.
For more details, go to the Encyclopedia of Buddhist Arts: Artifacts, page 324.