Gallery View: Laos wooden crafts highlight local culture

Wooden home decor, religious art and tableware show the rich culture of Laos and its neighboring countries.

Laos artisans are adept at creating wooden crafts that depict the local culture and those of neighboring countries. This is most apparent in religious art, where carvings of Buddha, Kuan Yin and other figures in Buddhism are common.

Besides religious art, wooden crafts from Laos include carvings of indigenous flora and fauna, as well as those found in Thailand, China and other countries in Asia. The “Pixiu,” a creature resembling a winged lion in Chinese mythology, is among those often depicted in carvings.

For tableware such as plates and bowls, the selection comprises plain round, rectangular and square designs. Novelty shapes and pieces featuring intricately carved details are also offered.

At many makers, the owner or the artisans are responsible for creating new designs. Besides cultural influences, trends seen on the internet and at trade shows are sources of inspiration.

Kuan Yin statue in black and white ebony wood

C-King Handicraft offers this handcarved Kuan Yin statue in black and white ebony wood. Priced at $350, the product measures 12x12x53cm and weighs 4kg.

Plum vase made of Macassar ebony wood

C-King Handicraft offers this plum vase in Macassar ebony wood. Priced at $50, the vase is 10x10x30cm and weighs 1.5kg.

Lucky Buddha statue carved from rosewood

This Lucky Buddha statue from Houngchaleun Handicraft comes in solid rosewood. Measuring 15x14x27cm, the 2kg product is priced at $200.

Bengal tiger comes in padauk sapwood

Lao Design offers this Bengal tiger in padauk sapwood or another type of hardwood. Priced at $180, it measures 85x28x30cm and weighs 8kg.

Lucky Buddha statue made of padauk sapwood

This handcarved Lucky Buddha statue from Lao Design comes in padauk sapwood or another type of hardwood. Priced at $550, the product measures 35x50x90cm.

Kuan Yin statue made of sandalwood

Carved from sandalwood, this Kuan Yin statue from Phetsamone Handicraft measures 24x18x54cm and weighs 4kg. It is priced at $400.

Rooster carved from black and white ebony wood

Carved from solid black and white ebony wood, this statue from Phetsamone Handicraft measures 23x10x23cm and weighs 0.8kg. It is priced at $40.

This article and its contents are provided by the Hinrich Foundation, a partner of Global Sources in promoting trade across Asia. The products and the suppliers featured in this article are export assistance program beneficiaries of the Hinrich Foundation.