House of spirits; Thailand, 20th century.

House of spirits; Thailand, 20th century.
Wood.
Presents good state of preservation.
Measurements: 81 x 61 x 75,3 cm.
House of spirits with wooden terrace, columns, walls and ceiling decorated with carved motifs.
A spirit house is a sanctuary dedicated to the protective spirit of a place found in the Southeast Asian countries of Burma, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam and the Philippines. They are usually in the form of a small roofed structure mounted on a pillar or dais, and can range in size from small platforms to houses large enough for people to enter. Spirit houses are intended to provide shelter for spirits that could cause trouble for the people if they are not appeased. They usually include carved images or statues of people and animals. Votive offerings are left in them to propitiate the spirits; more elaborate installations include an altar for this purpose.