Vintage Thai Temple Rubbing of Celestial Musician in Green & Gold

Vintage Thai Temple Rubbing of Celestial Musician in Green & Gold

This authentic mid-century Thai temple rubbing on handmade rice paper features a kneeling celestial musician (Thepanom) playing a flute. Rendered in a striking and less common green-gold pigment, the artwork was created using traditional techniques at a Buddhist temple—likely Wat Pho in Bangkok—before the practice was banned in the 1960s to protect ancient stone reliefs. The piece is professionally housed in a vintage faux-bamboo carved wood frame with a complementary tan mat, perfectly capturing the sophisticated "Global Chic" aesthetic of the mid-20th century.

Dimensions:
Overall Framed Size: Approx. 13" W x 20.75" H x 1" D 

Condition:
The artwork itself remains in very good vintage condition, with vibrant pigments and no major tears or foxing to the central figure. The original matting and backing show visible signs of age and previous moisture exposure, including water staining and "tidelines" in the lower-left corner and extensive deterioration to the rear backing paper. The vintage bamboo-style frame exhibits authentic wear, including surface pitting and minor miter separation at the corners.

A captivating and increasingly rare piece of Southeast Asian history that remains highly decorative. While it is ready to hang, it would be an excellent candidate for professional re-matting to fully restore its gallery-level appeal.