Context (Display)
A small nail has been hammered into the back to act as a previous mounting device.
Event Date
Author: Eleanor Wilkinson

Description (Inscription)
[Singer, Noel Francis] 1) 'In the Wingaba forest, king Waythandaya is shown giving away his son Gana and daughter Zali to Suzaka, the Brahmin'. 2) 'Waythandaya threatens Suzaka, the Brahmin, with his sword when he beats the brother and sister, Gana and Zali. 3) 'Suzaka returning from the Wungaba forest having been given the children Gana and Zali. 4) Suzaka, the Brahmin, is left lying on the road.
Event Date
Author: Eleanor Wilkinson

Description (Labels & Markings)
The remains of the adhesive backs from a number of labels, and pieces of sellotape, can be seen on the back however no markings on these remain.
Event Date
Author: Eleanor Wilkinson

Description (Labels & Markings)
A hand written label adhered to the back reads '[non-Latin script] BL.27.NFS £9 28 January 1974 Chelsea Antique Market'. The 'BL' number is in reference to a previous inventory devised by the collector during the ?1980s, one version of this inventory was seen amongst the collectors paperwork dated to 12th July 1983.
Event Date
Author: Eleanor Wilkinson

Context (Auction / Sale)
Acquired by Noel Francis Singer at Chelsea Antique Market on 28 January 1974 for £9.
Event Date 28/1/1974
Author: Lucie Carreau

Description (Labels & Markings)
A typed label adhered to the back reads '39'. This is in reference to an inventory of lacquerware seen amongst the collector's paperwork written on 14th April 1999.
Event Date 14/04/1999
Author: Eleanor Wilkinson

Description (Physical description)
A larger than average lin-ban, a plater used usually for offerings of flowers and fruit, carved from a single piece of wood painted with black lacquer and gilded. The gilding decoration is called shwe-za-wa. The central medallion depicts several scenes from the Waythandaya (Vessantra) Jataka, the Charitable Prince, with captions explaining each scene. This is enclosed by a ring of tightly packed lotus petals which is in turn encircled by a broader band of buds, swirling foliage, and birds. The birds are drawn in a lively manner and are shown as if the viewer were looking into the branches. The scenes are as follows: 1) King Waythandaya in court robes is seated in an ornate pavilion with two of his children, the boy Gana and the girl Zali behind him. Waythandaya is shown pouring the water of libation onto the hands of Suzaka (Jujaka), the Brahmin, who had asked him for his children and the king agreed. The act of pouring legalises the deed. 2) The bottom scene shows that when the children heard that they were to be given away, they ran to a pond filled with lotus blossoms and leaves, and hid under them. But their father called them out and handed them over to the Brahmin who proceeded to tie their hand and beat them, This infuriated Waythandaya and for a moment forgets himself and threatened the Brahmin with his than-hlyet (double edged sword of state). But then checks himself. 3) at the right Suzaka lead the way as the reluctant children follow him into the jungle. 4) The children manage to escape when the old Brahmin fell to the ground with exhaustion. 5) Meanwhile their mother Madi |(Maddi) who had been gathering wild fruits in the forest returns, but the gods wanted to shield her from seeing their children given away as slaves, turn themselves into wild animals and bar her away. A pair of chinthe lions, tiger, and a leopard can be seen.
The picture is marred by a band of gilding that has either been repaired by the craftsman or that the gold leaf was not properly applied.
Event Date 14/11/2017
Author: Eleanor Wilkinson