Tiered stand for Buddha images, with a scene of Phra Malai preaching in Indra's Heaven
Tiered stands such as this were used for holding small Buddha images and vases of flowers or containers of incense.
The story of the monk Phra Malai was a popular subject for depiction on tiered stands such as this. In the episode on this stand, Phra Malai, dressed in a red monk's robe, is seated crosslegged pointing toward the approaching, but as yet unseen, deities coming to worship the stupa with the holy relics. Indra (with a green complexion) and a high-ranking woman whose identity is not certain are seated side by side with their hands folded in adoration of the relics.
The Chulamani stupa is flanked by two flagpoles flying the sort of crocodile flag that, in central Thailand, is generally displayed during the annual ceremony of offering new robes to monks.
On the sides of the stand are poorly preserved paintings of scenes from the legend of the bird-woman Manora.
