Tibetan/Nepalese Buddhist Thangka

Although in his teachings the Sakyamuni said not to make images of him followers of his philosophy have not followed that suggestion and each culture where Buddhism has spread has made images of Buddha that reflect their own ethnicity. This thangka is most closely similar to what those people from Lumbini, Nepal ( birthplace of the Buddha) looked like. The SAGE OF THE SHAKYAS still lives in the hearts and minds of people who share his philosophy. In Buddhism one can never own such iconography but we can be the caretaker of these things and pass them on to others. This thangka was hand painted on muslin cloth in the school of Sanja Lhama in Pokhara, Nepal nearly 25 years ago. The colors are strong and vibrant. 39 cm high and 30 cm wide.

Each sheet of the two sheet set was designed and issued by THE THAILAND POSTAL SERVICE to remember the 80th birthday of each monarch. The King reached his 80th birthday on December 5, 2007 and the Queen on August 12, 2012. Offered by the postal service only there is an 80 baht commemorative stamp affixed at the center of the King's tribute and at the center of the tribute to the Queen, a 40 baht stamp to honour her. There are reproduction images of the various stamps that had been issued by the post office during his lifetime but the center image of the King as a Monk is printed in an exquisitely detailed 3D mode. The commemorative sheet for QUEEN SIRIKIT had solicited paintings of the Queen from various stages of her life: from childhood to her 80th year and those surround the image of the Queen in silhouette. The image of the Queen at her age of coronation is printed in a unique format using special printing ink in pearl and embossed in gold foil holograms with hidden messages. Each sheet is #410. Rarely found in the DELUXE EDITION gold embossed frame this set is a treasured keepsake for Thais and those who live in the Kingdom and wish to honour this beloved King. Each hinged frame measures 26 x 23 cm with a total unfolded length of 46 cm. AS NEW. Issue date 2012. (Photos are slightly enhanced to emphasize details)

This strong beautifully grained wood comes from the Atlas Mountains of MOROCCO. In the 1,500 year old Port City of ESSAOURIA many Craftsmen practice their arts. I have found this woodworker nearly living in a warren of this fragrant wood with shavings all over the floor. His smile shines from the shadows of his small shop and his few wares are always displayed proudly. Each time I return to MOROCCO I go to ESSAOURIA as part of my journey and I find the opportunity to go to his shop to support him by purchasing a few things. The magic box open with the easy twist of the top and reveals the secret compartments. Measurements: 5 cm unopened. 13 cm opened. (Diagonally)

Portrait of HM the King over the background pattern printed with metallic gold ink. The silver foil bearing the inscription of HM the King's initials "BHOR POR ROR", on December 5, 2011, the Royal Garuda symbol and the Thai design. Arabic denomination numerals print with the gold-to-green color shifting ink. A horizontal bright gold bar that moves vertically along the denomination numerals becomes viewable when the banknote is tilted. This unique feature is incorporated in a Thai banknote for the first time. The banknote bears a unique Thai 7-digit serial number, preceded by Thai prefixes representing the ninth monarch of the Chakri Dynasty. Issue date: December 2, 2011. Edition: 9,999,999 Size of banknote 84 by 162 mm. VERSO OF THE NOTE: Portrait of HM the King during his visit to MAE ROEM RESERVOIR PROJECT. The royal activities are demonstrated by image of the King visiting the Thai people to ease suffering and bring happiness to them and the image of the King planting an experimental plot of vetiver grass, which signifies his contribution to soil conservation. The images of KWAI NOI BAMRUNG DAM in Phitsanulok Province and Chaipattana Low Speed Surface Aerator represent the royal activities regarding water resources development and management. The talent HM the King had on the saxophone is portrayed by the image of him playing instrument and in the tune composed by the King that is played by winding a handle under the bass of the model of a saxophone. The banknote is displayed in a attractive hard shell decorative frame. The final scene on the banknote is of aircrafts in royal rainmaking operation employing a distinctive cloud-seeding technique called " Super Sandwich" representing the King's talent in science and technology. The housing for the winding music apparatus has been repaired and the music plays without impediment. Accompanied by a full color descriptive folding portfolio .