OUR COLLECTION — ASIA — CAMBODIA 466. NATIVITY WITH STABLE
The miniature figures in this Nativity set are carved from a light-colored 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 set features 13 figures: Joseph, Mary, baby Jesus, two Khmer-style angels with fancy pointed headdress, a shepherd, two cows, two sheep, and three Khmer-style wise men. The standing wise man measures 4.5 inches tall to the top of his pointed crown. The sitting Joseph figure measures 1.75 inches tall. The stable is made from a brown wood called Thnong in Cambodian. The stable measures 7.25 inches tall.
The set was carved by a workshop of 13 disabled Buddhist artisans in Cambodia. Ten of the artisans are disabled due to polio, while the other three are disabled from landmines. At least three artisans work together on each Nativity set. The carvers have great skill so they are all able to carve in the exact same style.
The set features 13 figures: Joseph, Mary, baby Jesus, two Khmer-style angels with fancy pointed headdress, a shepherd, two cows, two sheep, and three Khmer-style wise men. The standing wise man measures 4.5 inches tall to the top of his pointed crown. The sitting Joseph figure measures 1.75 inches tall. The stable is made from a brown wood called Thnong in Cambodian. The stable measures 7.25 inches tall.
The set was carved by a workshop of 13 disabled Buddhist artisans in Cambodia. Ten of the artisans are disabled due to polio, while the other three are disabled from landmines. At least three artisans work together on each Nativity set. The carvers have great skill so they are all able to carve in the exact same style.