Early / Tall Thai Wood Thepphanom (Temple Figure)

Southeast Asia, Thailand, ca. late 19th to early 20th century CE. A remarkable wooden sculpture of a temple guardian figure known as Thepphanom, depicted standing in a slight bow with hands clasped in a respectful wai gesture, all hand-painted in hues of emerald, marigold, crimson, and black. Draped in a traditional sampot skirt, the slender figure is crowned by a conical ushnisha headdress as panels of wings adorn his shoulders and ears. The Thepphanom came to earth when Buddha reached enlightenment, to serve as his protectors and later as guardians to temple and sacred texts, and their forms are based on Apsaras and Gandharvas - the devas who inhabit higher realms. Size: 9.5" L x 9.5" W x 42.8" H (24.1 cm x 24.1 cm x 108.7 cm)