Picture in Focus: Thai Nativity Set by Duangkamol Srisukri

November 20, 2016

Picture in Focus: Thai Nativity Set by Duangkamol Srisukri

Thai Potter Duangkamol Srisukri created this week's new Nativity set from the Sacred Art Pilgrim creche collection in traditional Celadon (green stone) ceramic ware. These high-temperature glazed pieces are much valued for their resemblance to jade and are made following a technique brought to Thailand from China in the 13th century. Srisukri has given the conventional line-up of Nativity figurines a decidedly Southeast Asian twist. In place of the angel keeping watch over the Baby Jesus in Western religious art, we see a deva, a Buddhist celestial being, identified by their peaked crown, standing guard behind the Holy Family. The ox at the manger has been replaced by a resting water buffalo, whose keeper has come in place of the shepherds. This new creche from Thailand can be viewed in the image gallery of the Nativity Sets and Scenes page in the Schools of Sacred Art section. (John Kohan)