Asian Civilisations Museum

After the guided tour on "Sacred Caves: Dunhuang, Buddhism, and the Silk Road" at the Asian Civilisations Museum, I sat on the bench and did a quick sketch on this huge and colourful display called "Makara palanquin ornament".

Extract: "Makara palanquin ornament, Malay Peninsula, Pattani. 18th or 19th century. Jackfruit tree wood, zinc, brass and copper plates."

"The makara is the vehicle of the Hindu river goddess Ganga. It is a composite creature with features of a crocodile, fish, goat and elephant. The form harks back to the Hindu-Buddhist pasts of the now-Muslim communities along the north-eastern coast of the Malay Peninsula. Despite its origins, it is still seen as a water spirit and symbolises fertility.

This one is a rare surviving example of an ornament for a palanquin used in village ceremonies revolving around the circumcision of young boys."

Nude Sketchbook
Size: 290 x 145mm