Thai Folk Carving the brown lion bazaar.JPEG
Thai Folk Carving the brown lion bazaar..JPEG
Thai Folk Carving the brown lion bazaar..JPEG
Thai Folk Carving the brown lion bazaar..JPEG
Thai Folk Carving the brown lion bazaar.JPEG
Thai Folk Carving the brown lion bazaar.JPEG
Thai Folk Carving the brown lion bazaar.JPEG
Thai Folk Carving the brown lion bazaar..JPEG
Thai Folk Carving the brown lion bazaar..JPEG
Thai Folk Carving the brown lion bazaar..JPEG
Thai Folk Carving the brown lion bazaar.JPEG
Thai Folk Carving the brown lion bazaar.JPEG

Thai Folk Carving – Figure Riding a Crocodile

£155.00

This hand-carved wooden sculpture originates from Thailand and depicts a seated human figure riding a crocodile, a powerful and recurring motif in Southeast Asian folklore. Boldly simplified in form, the piece emphasises gesture and narrative over fine detail, giving it a strong sculptural presence.

Carved from so that the man and crocodile are separate pieces, the work shows clear tool marks and an aged surface patina, suggesting it was made as a folk or vernacular object rather than decorative export ware. The elongated body of the crocodile and stylised human form reflect a storytelling tradition rooted in oral myth and symbolism.

At 62 cm in length and 15 cm in height, the sculpture reads as both an ethnographic object and a compelling piece of outsider or folk art.

This hand-carved wooden sculpture originates from Thailand and depicts a seated human figure riding a crocodile, a powerful and recurring motif in Southeast Asian folklore. Boldly simplified in form, the piece emphasises gesture and narrative over fine detail, giving it a strong sculptural presence.

Carved from so that the man and crocodile are separate pieces, the work shows clear tool marks and an aged surface patina, suggesting it was made as a folk or vernacular object rather than decorative export ware. The elongated body of the crocodile and stylised human form reflect a storytelling tradition rooted in oral myth and symbolism.

At 62 cm in length and 15 cm in height, the sculpture reads as both an ethnographic object and a compelling piece of outsider or folk art.

Cultural & Symbolic Context

In Thai and wider Southeast Asian belief systems, crocodiles are potent symbolic creatures, associated with:

  • Rivers and liminal spaces

  • Power, danger, and protection

  • Transformation and the spirit world

Figures of humans riding or mastering crocodiles appear in folk tales, temple carvings, and vernacular art, often symbolising:

  • Human intelligence or spiritual authority over natural forces

  • A legendary hero or spirit figure

  • Balance between danger and control

You may sometimes see similar imagery linked to regional folklore or hill-tribe storytelling traditions, including those of northern Thailand and neighbouring regions. While occasionally attributed to specific named myths or ethnic groups, such figures are best understood more broadly as folk narrative carvings, rather than literal representations of a single legend.

Notes on Attribution

  • Sometimes described by dealers as an “Akha man riding a crocodile”, referring to hill-tribe folk art traditions of northern Thailand and Laos

  • Precise tribal or mythological attribution is difficult to verify

  • Best described as Thai folk art with mythic symbolism

Condition Notes

  • Hand-carved wood with visible age and wear

  • Darkened patina consistent with handling and age

  • Minor surface wear and irregularities typical of folk carvings

Display Suggestions

This piece works especially well:

  • As a sculptural centrepiece on a shelf or console

  • In a cabinet of curiosities or ethnographic display

  • Paired with Southeast Asian folk or ritual objects

  • As a contrast piece in a modern interior