Antique chofas

Carved in wood, they most often take the form of a mythical bird associated with Garuda, a symbol of protection and spiritual elevation. Some variants take the form of a naga, a mythical serpent or dragon, then referred to as naga chofas

Chofas are traditional architectural ornaments placed at the top of Buddhist temples, mainly in Thailand, Myanmar (Burma) and Laos. Carved in wood, they most often take the form of a mythical bird associated with Garuda, a symbol of protection and spiritual elevation. Some variants take the form of a naga, a mythical serpent or dragon, then referred to as naga chofas. Through their slender silhouette and strong symbolic charge, chofas establish a link between the earthly world and the spiritual realm. The pieces presented here, dating from the 17th century to the early 20th century, come from the Claude de Marteau collection and are accompanied by a certificate of provenance.