Thai bird man

cults3d

Mythical Bird-Man Figure, circa 1775-1850 Central Thailand Crafted from Wood with Remnants of Lacquer, Gilding, and Mirrored Glass Inlay Gift from the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation's Southeast Asian Art Collection, 2006.27.24 In Buddhist legend, mythical bird-men and women inhabit the wondrous Eden-like Himavanta Forest. These creatures are frequently depicted in Thai sculptures, paintings, and other mediums. Wooden figures like this were used in several royal ceremonies. One such statue is mentioned in the description of King Rama IV's coronation in 1851, where it contained a relic of the Buddha. The custom likely went back centuries. Only a handful of these statues have survived, and most are preserved at the National Museum in Bangkok. The spire of this figure's crown was replaced at some point, probably during the twentieth century. Scanned using the iPhone app 123D Catch, repaired with Meshmixer, and mirrored symmetrically.