ADVENT CALENDAR 2024

December 7

THAI DOLL NATIVITY

Tongkorn Chandavimol
Thailand
Mixed media
2016

Tongkorn Chandavimol was inspired by Japan’s doll-making tradition to create dolls representing Thai culture. In 1957, she founded Bangkok Dolls. In the 1960s, she received the honorary title of Khunying from the Thai government for her cultural contributions. A Buddhist who attended a Presbyterian school, she began producing Nativity scenes in the 1990s.

In this Nativity, the Holy Family is dressed in traditional Thai farmer attire. The three wise men are depicted as a Thai nobleman (kneeling, in brown, black, and gold), a Chinese mandarin, and an Indian prince (kneeling, in a pink jacket). The woman in a long white robe represents the Karen people, many of whom migrated from Myanmar into Thailand.

On loan from the Blessed Michael McGivney Pilgrimage Center, New Haven, Connecticut

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