Northern Thai

Refers to a style associated with the northern region of Thailand. Artistic production in this style primarily deals with the wood carving arts and features teak figures of Brahmanical and Hindu gods and of Buddhist images. Sculptures and carvings were often inlaid with mother-of-pearl or glass mosaics. The style is driven by the desire to intermingle animal, plant, and human life, evincing a detailed, exuberant blend of myth and realism. From this distinctive art, stylistic contradictions emerged, evidenced by sculptural figures of menacing demon entities doubling as guardian beings and by rigid geometric patterns set amidst designs of fanciful creatures on wooden relief panels. The most dramatic example in this style are the grandiose wooden royal barges and royal funeral chariots, both completely gilded constructions with mythical serpents and ornamental floral designs.