Antique chofas

Chofas are traditional architectural ornaments placed at the top of Buddhist temples, mainly in Thailand 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, and are then referred to as chofas naga. With their slender silhouette and strong symbolic meaning, chofas create a link between the earthly world and the spiritual realm. The pieces presented here, dated from the 17th to the early 20th century, come from the collection of Claude de Marteau and are accompanied by a certificate of provenance.