The Image displays the 'Pushpaka Vimana' belonging to King Ravana
Vimanas are flying 'chariots and palaces' described in the Hindu texts, Sanskrit epics and Jain texts.
This would have been a good interpretation at the time for something that would have been described by word of mouth.
...that aerial and excellent Vimana going everywhere at will, that chariot resembling a bright cloud in the sky
It is described as taking off into the sky
...the excellent chariot at the command of the Raghira, rose up into the higher atmosphere.
YES! The 'contraption' is clearly up in the realm of clouds and birds. Beneath the horizontal dividing line, is a sea-world with fish, maybe dolphins, etc. Big groups of people have come out, astounded at what they're seeing. Some animals (black bears?) seem to want to cross a bridge that's been occupied by grey monkeys. Maybe the animals are acting strangely because of the weird flying six-layer palace in the sky! It's lower levels are filled with monkeys and bears! Maybe they're being given a ride in the airborne device, and the ones on the ground are unhappy they didn't get to go! Or this is the ancient memory about animals being taken away into outer space! In the higher levels of the flying contraption, someone is holding court or perhaps giving a talk or lecture. In the highest level, maybe that's the King and Queen in their private chamber! This looks like a LOT more than a piece of decorative art!
Amazing I didn't even focus on the animals, I agree it is documentation rather than art.