Hatsadiling, Thai Mythological Elephant Bird Plaque in Aged Terra Cotta
6.5" High x 11" Wide x 1.5" Deep
Hatsadiling is a mythical bird commonly featured in Northern Thai art. The Hatsadiling is considered to be the size of a house, with the head and body of a lion, the trunk and tusks of an elephant, the comb of a cock, and the wings of a bird. According to an oral myth in northeastern Thailand, the bird once inhabited the legendary forest of Himavanta.  The bird is often featured as a motif on funerary hearses of prominent Buddhist monks in Northern Thailand during phongyibyan cremation ceremonies. The bird was considered instrumental in the founding of Hariphunchai, a Mon kingdom in modern-day Thailand.
It is made of clay, aged for more than six months in a moist environment to create the patina.
Handcrafted in Thailand