This cloth has the remains of painted illustrations of the Vessantara jataka, the story of Buddha's previous life as Prince Vessantara. In the first painting, Chuchok the greedy brahmin is illustrated. In the second, he is depicted taking the children away. Indra is also depicted asking for Vessantar's wife Matsi and then taking her away after he consents to giving her to him.The Vessantara story is the most popular amongst Buddhists in mainland Southeast Asia. He is the epitomy of generosity, who gives away his own family members. The story is depicted on long scroll paintings in the Tai-Lao tradition of northeast Thailand and Laos, where they form the centre-piece of the Bun Phra Wet festival. These smaller paintings appear to have been made to illustrate different chapters of the story. They might also have been donated as part of the practice of merit-makin.
