Carved from solid teakwood, these figures represent men of the Mon people, an indigenous group of Myanmar and Thailand. Depicted in traditional dress with headcloths and full-body tattoos, they bear the lion emblem of the Mandalay king upon their chests — a mark of loyalty and service. Such figures would have been used in royal ceremonies, where the gong’s resonant sound celebrated the kingdom’s authority and the Mon people’s commitment. Rich in cultural symbolism, they preserve the artistry and identity of a community deeply woven into the history of the Burmese court.