Thai Paintings
In 1976 after completing Adrian Zechas' residence in Hong Kong, I was offered an assignment to design and supervise the renovation and expansion of the President Hotel which was taken over by the Regent International Hotels headed by Robert Burns. My stint in Bangkok afforded me the exposure to the arts, crafts and culture of Thailand and it's neighbors.
The new Regent of Bangkok was situated in Gaysorn Area which was conveniently surrounded by numerous reputable antique shops.
Bangkok at this time was still under developed and the pace of life much slower.
It was a pleasure to linger in shops and get to know the owners who graciously shared their knowledge and expertise without pressure to sell. By spending my weekends in the antique market, I was able to see and study the best specimens available at that time.
In Bangkok, while I collected a few small Buddha icons my focus of study were Thai paintings. I also collected ceramics from the Sukhotai & Ayudya Periods. At this time, collecting Thai paintings was not popular and dealers more often than not, do not stock them. When I opened my Hong Kong gallery in 1987, I mounted an exhibition of Thai paintings entitled
"Tales of Buddha."
The past economic boom in Thailand saw the emergence of new-rich local collectors vigorously chasing the few good surviving Thai art and antiques in the market. There is also a growing global interest in Thai arts and antiques.
Today, the antique market in Bangkok is full of Chinese, Vietnamese, Burmese, and Cambodian items but very little authentic Thai. Genuine antique Thai paintings in particular, have become very rare in the market place.
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Thai Paintings
(TP1) Standing Buddha with Disciples
late 19th c. Organic pigments on cotton, 89 x 152 cm . Gilt framed under acrylic sheet.
(TP2) Buddha Descending from Heaven
Inscribed and dated 1860, Rama IV Period, organic pigments on cloth. 92 x 195 cm. Painting stretched over wood.
(TP3) Giving Away of Elephant
late 19th c. Part of Vessantara Jataka banners, organic pigments on cotton, 174.5 x 89.5 cm., mounted as vertical banner.
(TP4) Giving Away Horses
late 19th c. Part of Vessantara Jataka banners, organic pigments on cotton, 173.4 x 89 cm., mounted as vertical banner.
(TP5) Journey to Hermitage
late 19th c. Part of Vessantara Jataka banners, organic pigments on cotton, 173 x 89 cm., mounted as vertical banner.
(TP6) Giving Away the Family
late 19th c. Part of Vessantara Jataka banners, organic pigments on cotton, 173.4 x 89 cm., mounted as vertical banner.
(TP7) Death of Chujok
late 19th c. Part of Vessantara Jataka banners, organic pigments on cotton, 173 x 89 cm., mounted as vertical banner.
(TP8) Return of Vessantara
late 19th c. Part of Vessantara Jataka banners, organic pigments on cotton, 174 x 92 cm., mounted as vertical banner.
(TP9) Chulmani Chedi in Heaven
late 19th c. Part of Vessantara Jataka banners, organic pigments on cotton, 172 x 89 cm., mounted as vertical banner.
(TP10) Vessantara Jataka
late 19th c. Almost complete illustration of Vessantara Jataka as a horizontal banner. Organic pigments on cotton, 54'4" x2'11" . Unmounted.
See the collection as exhibited in Hong Kong
Exhibition announcement in
Arts of Asia Magazine, May-June 1987
Advertisement in
Arts of Asia Magazine, March-April 1988 p.22
One vertical banner in the collection was used as the cover of The Journal of the American Medical Association JAMA, September, 1987 Vol. 3. No. 9 Southeast Asia Edition
The collection was also
featured in PREMIER, the Hongkong Bank magazine for Premier Visa cardholders. Aug/Sept. 1987
[Chinese Paintings]
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Jun Alday Gallery
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Text and Images of East by Southeast Collection © Jun Alday.
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