BURMESE NATS - LARGE

Large size Nats - spirits derived from pre-Buddhist animistic beliefs. They include nature spirits, mythical guardians, a officially sanctioned list of Thirty-seven. Burmese Buddhism is intrinsically mixed with animism and Buddhism as are Thai beliefs. This collection of wonderfully carved and detailed figures would have been housed within a Monastery, Temple or even cave temples and grottos, most of them are from the late 19th to early 20th century, and make interesting display pieces.

WOODEN FIGURE OF A TATTOOED MAN
Code: 0694 - Price: POA

Wooden figure of a heavily tattooed kneeling man. Early 20th century. Wearing a moutache and his hair tied up in a top knot, he sits bare chested and heavily tattooed with Buddhist symbols both on his chest, arms, back and upper legs. He holds a sword in his right hand. Carved from a single block of teak wood except for his right fore arm and sword, originally designed this way. Embellished with coloured paint. Excellent condition.
Excellent condition.
Height: 18.75" (47.5cm).
Weight:

BURMESE WOODEN IMAGE OF ZAW-GYI
Code: 0684 - Price: POA

Zaw-gyi the alchemist and magician. Early 20th century, seated cross legged with a moutache and holding a Buddhist rosary. Carved from a single block of teak wood except for the plate at the back of the turban representing the end of the cloth turned upwards. Embellished with coloured paint. Excellent condition.
Excellent condition.
Height: 15.5" (39cm).
Weight:

WOODEN FIGURE OF A MAN
Code: 0685 - Price: POA

Late 19th or early 20th Century figure of a Burmese man dressed in traditional Burmese clothing. This image is in excellent condition except for the base has sheared away at the front and his right hand originally carved separately is now missing, This is a wonderful piece with a lot of character and life. Has a nice patina to the colour painted surface.
Good condition.
Height including stand: .
Height not including stand: 15" (38cm).
Weight:

GUMAN THONG - MAGIC SPIRIT BOY 19th century
Code: 0686 - Price: POA

Guman Thong is a Burmese/Thai wood carving created in the form of a young child. Carved as a representation of a young child or Bay having passed away. This example is in good condition with no breaks or repairs carved from a single piece of teak wood, stands 15" (38cm) tall plus original iron rod. The boy is carved with one arm raised and the other low by his side, standing on a lotus. Remains of brown, red lacquer and gold leaf. Wonderful old patina, un touched with no termite damage.

First created in the early Ayutthaya period during Khun Paen's reign. It can be said that Khun Paen was the first to create Guman Thong. He brought a dead baby from the womb of one of his wives who had died in child birth to the temple. Khun Paen chanted an important Mantra in order to activate the spirit of Guman Thong while cremating the dead baby. It's Burmese and Thai belief that a mother who dies with her baby in the womb may re tun as a ferocious spirit or ghost. Legend has it that a family member of the deceased woman had to go to the graveyard alone at night, dig up the corpse, cut open the abdomen and bring out the dead baby, then cremate the dead baby within the temple grounds. That being the safest place to prevent the ghost mother from trying retreive her baby. The purpose of creating Guman Thong in ancient times was for protecting the owner. The young child ghost could be activated with a Mentor to fight the owners enemies or to protect the owners property or wealth.
The worship Guman Thong involved some important steps; Food offering must be presented at least once a day; Toy offering must also be presented occasionally, Guman Thong is a young child (spirit) and as such likes playing toys as do all children; The worshipper should care for Guman Thong as his/her son. Any house that has small a child or children, it's recommended that should not worship Guman Thong because he may envy your own children whom you pay all love to. When worshipped Guman Thong will be a great fortune bringer.

Good condition.
Height including stand: .
Height not including stand: 15" (38.5cm).
Weight: