The Art of Thai Wood Carving, Sukhothai, Ayutthaya, Ratanokosin by Naengnoi Punjabhan and Somchai Na Nakhonphanom, published by Rerngrom Publishing Co., Ltd., Bangkok, Thailand, 219 pages, hardback, 8 1/2" x 11 1/2", many illustrations and photos.

From the Preface:

When we first thought of writing a book on wood carving in Thailand many years ago, the publisher and I did not conceive of more than a collection of beautiful illustrations. But once we had explored the subject matter, we found that it was impossible to compile all the contents and illustrations of beautiful wood carvings which exist in this country into one single book of reasonable size. Each piece of carvings has its own history, its own unique characteristics, its own aesthetic values, and each tells a story of its time and place, and its creator.

This book cannot hope to answer all the questions about wood carving in Thailand. Yet we hope that we can at least show that the art of wood carving in Thailand from the Sukhothai period down to the Ratanakosin period is unrivalled by anywhere else in terms of its concepts and skills.

The art of Thai wood carving of the Sukhothai-Ayutthaya-Ratanakosin school, can be found everywhere in Thailand, especially in the Central region, including the areas in North and the areas in the Northeast which are near the Central region. It can also be found in certain areas in the South. Masterpieces of the school are mostly antiques which were part of the royal regalia, or they were devotional objects or formed part of monastic buildings. They are now at national museums or at old temples.

Wood carving in the Lanna School of the far North and the Lanchang school of the Northeast is mostly influenced by religious beliefs and practices. This applies both to monastic architecture, objets d'art, and others.

To present a complete picture of the art of Thai wood carving, the publisher is also preparing another book on the Lanna and Isan schools of wood carving . . .

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In fact, they published two more volumes, one dealing with Lanna and the other with Isan. The books are difficult to come by, but I purchased a single copy of this one to offer here. It is the best of the three, in my opinion, new and in a celophane wrapper. It was published without a dustjacket. It is truly a wonderful book for anyone who is interested in Thai carvings; much more than just a picture book with extensive discussion of design and some discussion of technique.

Item name: Art of Thai Woodcarving
Item price: $90.00