OUR COLLECTION — ASIA — CAMBODIA 339. TIGER HAND WOOD NATIVITY
This Nativity set is carved from a wood called Dai Khla in Cambodian, translated to ‘Tiger Hand’ in English. This type of tree grows in forests in Cambodia and Laos. An interesting characteristic of the tree is that it doesn't grow straight up, but instead grows around other trees—hence the descriptive imagery of its ‘Tiger Hand’ name. The wood is unfinished.
The set was carved by two disabled Buddhist artisans in Cambodia. One 25-year-old artisan named Oudom Keut developed polio as a young child and has not been able to walk since. The other artisan named Rithy Houl, age 35, also has paralyzed legs from polio and he has a growth disorder so he is a dwarf. Rithy is a carving instructor for younger disabled students. Despite their disabilities, these artisans carve extremely well with a great attention to detail.
The set features 10 figures: Joseph and Mary with braided belt/scarf tied around them, baby Jesus, a Khmer-style angel with fancy pointed headdress, a village lady, one pig, one sheep, and three wise men. One wise man shows his wisdom by reading from a book of scripture. The Joseph figure measures 6.5 inches tall.
The set was carved by two disabled Buddhist artisans in Cambodia. One 25-year-old artisan named Oudom Keut developed polio as a young child and has not been able to walk since. The other artisan named Rithy Houl, age 35, also has paralyzed legs from polio and he has a growth disorder so he is a dwarf. Rithy is a carving instructor for younger disabled students. Despite their disabilities, these artisans carve extremely well with a great attention to detail.
The set features 10 figures: Joseph and Mary with braided belt/scarf tied around them, baby Jesus, a Khmer-style angel with fancy pointed headdress, a village lady, one pig, one sheep, and three wise men. One wise man shows his wisdom by reading from a book of scripture. The Joseph figure measures 6.5 inches tall.