Miniature temple

Miniature models of temple buildings, shrines, and stupas were commonly made for use as offerings. Like Buddha images, such models were given to temples by donors in the hope of gaining merit that would help them attain nirvana or be reborn during the time of Maitreya, the next Buddha.

According to inscriptions on similar objects, a miniature temple might contain a Buddha image or miniature stupa in which a relic was housed.

The rear wall of this miniature temple was not painted, so the object was meant to be seen only from the front and was probably placed against a wall.

Even though the decorative ornaments on the exterior walls, the finials on the roof, and the serpent motifs on the gable seem to reflect central Thai styles, the lacquer technique employed here belongs to the northern region.

Several of the roof decorations were broken and have been replicated and replaced.