“This is an elephant saddle or howdah. Which is 77 centimeters high, 1.4 meters wide, and 73 centimeters deep. This object, dating to the 19th century, was donated by His Excellency Bung Chan Plong, who inherited it from his great-great-grandfather, Okhnya Moha Muntriy Bundouch.
Oknha is a title granted by the King to government officials, officials within the Royal Court, and individuals who possess great knowledge about the laws for governing the country. Judging by its elaborate decoration, it is clear this saddle was the property of a person with high status in the past Khmer society, when horses and elephants were the preferred mode of transport for the King and the elite.
This saddle, which is coated in lacquer, has an elaborately decoration. Pieces of elephant ivory were used to decorate the armrests. The edge around the saddle is carved with flowers and birds. All of which are painted in gold. The floor is covered by double padding of cloth to provide comfort for the rider..”