hand carved

Evoking royal insignia, this cross sculpture from Thailand is hand-carved from mango wood to display floral patterns. Jaifah Aksornsri creates this sculpture, which is given a painted black finish and is displayed on an iron rod.

Fascinated by Thailand's ancestral buildings, Pirot Gitikoon carves a faithful replica of a Buddhist temple, known as a vihara.. Carved of teak wood by hand, the miniature temple is intended to become a spirit house. According to custom, when people finish building their houses they create a san phra poom, or guardian spirit house. A Buddhist ceremony takes place to invite a protective spirit to inhabit the small house. It is believed it will bring luck, happiness, success and security against mean spirits or enemies who might threaten the family or their home.

Florid gables bring artistic grandeur to a captivating spirit house. Pirot Gitikoon preserves Buddhist spiritual traditions as he carves the temple by hand from Thai teak. It is known as a vihara or san phra poom, meaning "guardian spirit house." When a family moves into a new house, it is customary to hold a Buddhist ceremony to invite a protective spirit to inhabit the ornate temple replica. It is believed it will bring luck, happiness, success and security against mean spirits or enemies who might threaten the family or their home.

Pirot Gitikoon shares Thai traditions with this hand-carved replica of a Buddhist temple, intended as a guardian spirit house or san phra poom. According to custom, when people finish building a house they include a spirit house to protect the family from evil spirits. Gitikoon carves this house by hand from quality teak wood. The gables feature eight heads shaped like Naga, the protective dragon. The bargeboards replicate Naga's scales, as well as swan tails. The swan is a mystical being from the Himaphan forest. A small pagoda adorns the rooftop; it is crowned with a lotus blossom.