Chofa Garuda – Carved wooden ridge finial ornament

Chofa Garuda, a carved wooden ridge finial ornament placed on temple roofs in Thailand.

• Late 18th century or early 19th century.
• Supplied with white or black steel base, adjustable chofa inclination.
• Provenance: Estate of collector and art dealer Claude de Marteau.
• Sold with certificate of origin.
• H Max (with stand 147 CM) X P 26 CM X W 20 CM.
• H without stand 125 CM

Carved wooden ridge finial ornament

This temple ridge finial ornament, commonly known as a chofa, is interpreted in tradition either as a representation of Garuda (from Sanskrit “eagle”), the mount of the god Vishnu, or as that of the Hong / Hamsa, a mythical bird likened to a swan or goose, the vehicle (vâhana) of the god Brahmā.

Placed at the ends of temple roofs, these figures contribute to the symbolic and protective dimension of Thai religious architecture, while emphasizing the verticality and upward thrust of the structures.

Chofas, placed atop a Buddhist temple roof, here in Bangkok.

Made of carved wood, this example retains traces of red and gold polychromy, colours traditionally associated with Brahmā. The surface shows a beautiful patina, marked by the presence of ancient lichens, attesting to its exposure and age.

Period photographs of the Claude de Marteau chofa collection offered on our website.

A wide variety of these temple roof ornaments are visible and available on our website.