Cotton and porcelain doll, 'Yao Man'

Sunida Sookcharoen recreates the stunning attire of the Yao as she dresses this porcelain doll with sublime accuracy. An embroidered sash of many colors rests upon a black attire accented by blue and red appliqu? work. A cherubic face enlivens the Yao doll, for Sookcharoen's dolls come "from my heart. I try to give them soul and make them look like real humans." The Yao, or Mien, are a unique hill tribe - known for the high value they place on propriety, decorum and dignified manners. They much prefer to talk and listen to folk tales than singing and dancing during celebrations. The Yao easily adopt children, whether form their own tribe or outside tribes such as the Shan, Laotian or Thai. Sookcharoen works closely with her assistant in the preparation of the dolls, starting with the preparation of the clay which they can easily obtain. Sookcharoen prepares the molds herself and after casting she polishes the piece which at this point has achieved a green appearance from the ingredients she used, such as yellow and pink pigments, sodium silicate and water. The piece is fired at 1280?C for 12 hours and then hand-painted with extreme care before firing again at 700?C for four hours. Finally, Sookcharoen adds the finishing touches including a wig, eyelashes and the beautiful garments of Thailand. The doll arrives on a raintree stand.

Cotton and porcelain doll, 'Paduang Woman'

For the Paduang, the beauty of a woman lies in the length of her neck indicated by the number of rings she wears around it. Suwit Suthamtha exemplifies this age-old tradition with this exquisite doll, dressed with a woven skirt and wearing a singular headdress made lavish with color beaded motifs. This Paduang doll makes a remarkable addition to a beloved doll collection. Although the Paduang are considered to be a group within the Karen, they do not speak any of their three languages. The Paduangs mainly live in Burma and a few have migrated to Northern Thailand. Paduang women are renowned for their foot-long necks adorned with up to 16 to 20 brass or silver rings, and they also wear up to 30 rings around their calves, for they believe the number of rings is a measure of their beauty. Suthamtha made a number of trials before achieving the hand-crafted perfection that characterizes his work and that of the artisans that collaborate with him. "I begin by molding the shape of the head, arms and legs in clay, and kiln the pieces at 1472?F. I then paint in the skin as well as the facial features. I use wire for the body, and shape it into a human posture, I wrap it with raw cloth and use kapok seeds for stuffing. I attach the ceramic limbs and face so that they may move. Then, women working at my workshop sew their clothes, I teach them how as well as about the different hill tribe costumes. Finally, I add jewelry items made of aluminum and zinc to authenticate what I see in real life."

Cotton and porcelain doll, 'Lahu Girl'

Dressed in black with silver buttons, this doll is a stunning representative of the Lahu culture. Colorful embroidery work and beads brighten up her attire, which is faithfully recreated by an observant Suwit Suthamtha. Complete with the traditional jewelry of the area, this Lahu doll makes for a unique addition to a specialized doll collection. Lahu, or Musur, live in northern Thailand and take pride in their hunting abilities. Lahu are animists and believe one spirit controls all the others although 30% of them have converted to Christianity. Lahu are independent people and love entertainment and the easy life. Suthamtha made a number of trials before achieving the hand-crafted perfection that characterizes his work and that of the artisans that collaborate with him. "I begin by molding the shape of the head, arms and legs in clay, and kiln the pieces at 1472?F. I then paint in the skin as well as the facial features. I use wire for the body, and shape it into a human posture, I wrap it with raw cloth and use kapok seeds for stuffing. I attach the ceramic limbs and face so that they may move. Then, women working at my workshop sew their clothes, I teach them how as well as about the different hill tribe costumes. Finally, I add jewelry items made of aluminum and zinc to authenticate what I see in real life."

Cotton and porcelain doll, 'Lanna Girl'

Suwit Suthamtha presents this exquisite doll personifying an elegant girl from Lanna (northern Thailand). Renowned for their gracious beauty, Lanna girls customarily wear a sabai across the chest and a sarong. Suthamtha captures every minute detail, including makeup and bright yellow flowers upon her hair, adding a coquettish touch with her jewelry. With a ceramic face and limbs, this Lanna girl recalls the high class distinction for which the people of Lanna have been renowned. Her presence will bring a touch of sophisticated charm. Suthamtha made a number of trials before achieving the hand-crafted perfection that characterizes his work and that of the artisans who collaborate with him. "I begin by molding the shape of the head, arms and legs in clay, and kiln the pieces at 1472?F. I then paint in the skin as well as the facial features. I use wire for the body, and shape it into a human posture, I wrap it with raw cloth and use kapok seeds for stuffing. I attach the ceramic limbs and face so that they may move. Then, women working at my workshop sew their clothes - I teach them how as well as about the different hill tribe costumes. Finally, I add jewelry items made of aluminum and zinc to authenticate what I see in real life." 150 years ago, Lanna was ruled by their own king so the people there referred to themselves as Khon Muang, the people of the municipalities, and were renowned for their charm and interest in older cultures. Mae-ying refers to the Lanna women of polite and graceful charm - always beautiful and elegant, as reflected by Suthamtha's doll.

Wood doll, 'Serene Man'

Smooth crocodile wood carved by hand forms a delightful doll by Gusti Ngurah Semarajaya. The figure shows a serene countenance and elongated, artistic hands and feet. Dressed in handloomed ikat cloth, it is an exquisite example of Balinese art. "Ikat" means "to knot" in the Malaysian language, and the threads are tie-dyed weaving. The doll can be posed in a variety of positions; it can be displayed alone or on a base.

Wood doll, 'Serene Woman'

Her face exudes enviable serenity while her eyes express wisdom. Her cotton dress features the legendary ikat weave of Indonesia. Gusti Ngurah Semarajaya carves her image from crocodile wood, creating a decorative doll that lures with vivid realism. The doll can be posed in a variety of positions.

Cotton doll, 'Country Girl'

This charming country girl wears a straw hat and long blonde braids. Anita Espinoza crafts the smiling doll by hand, clothing her in a red dress and shoes. Fibers from the agave plant form the hair.

Wood doll, 'Serene Man'

Smooth crocodile wood carved by hand forms a delightful doll by Gusti Ngurah Semarajaya. The figure shows a serene countenance and elongated, artistic hands and feet. Dressed in handloomed ikat cloth, it is an exquisite example of Balinese art. "Ikat" means "to knot" in the Malaysian language, and the threads are tie-dyed weaving. The doll can be posed in a variety of positions; it can be displayed alone or on a base.

Cotton and porcelain doll, 'Hmong Tribe Girl'

Representing a young girl of the Hmong culture, Suwit Suthamtha creates an enchanting doll, imbued with the rich diversity of Thai artistry. This handmade piece reflects the traditions of the hill tribes of Thailand, as colorful clothing transmits centuries of meaning. An exquisite ceramic piece for the worldly collection. The Hmong people live in many parts of Southeast Asia and are divided into two separate groups: the Blue Hmong and the White Hmong. Women traditionally hand-craft clothing for their families using cotton or hemp, creating richly decorated attire with magnificent embroidery, often complemented by silver jewelry. For centuries the Hmong have sustained themselves through the cultivation of the opium poppy. However, most people are now seeking alternative markets, such as the fabrication and selling of exquisite needlework. Strict animists, the Hmong rely on shamans who use dramatic methods to contact the spirits. Suwit Suthamtha describes her process: "I begin by molding the shape of the head, arms and legs in clay, and kiln-fire the pieces at 1472? F. I then paint in the skin as well as the facial features. I use wire for the body, and shape it into a human posture, I wrap it with raw cloth and use kapok seeds for stuffing. I attach the ceramic limbs and face so that they may move. Then, women working at my workshop sew their clothes - I teach them how as well as about the different hill tribe costumes. Finally, I add jewelry items made of aluminum and zinc to authenticate what I see in real life."

Cotton and porcelain doll, 'Lisaw Girl'

Ornate and elaborate, the Lisaw costumes reflect their philosophy - "I, or mine, is and always will be number one." An extravagant show of color in attire and jewelry characterizes the dress code of the Lisaw, so superbly recreated for this doll by Suwit Suthantha. This Lisaw girl will enthrall the admirer and collector of regional dolls. The Lisu, or Lisaw, are found at 500 feet above sea level in northern Thailand, and their colorful dresses differ greatly from the Lisaw of China and Burma, who dress in black. Thailand's Lisu women are always embellishing their attires in the pursuit of being number one, and when they dress up of their New Year celebration, the amount of jewelry they wear can weigh up to four pounds! Suthamtha made a number of trials before achieving the hand-crafted perfection that characterizes his work and that of the artisans that collaborate with him. "I begin by molding the shape of the head, arms and legs in clay, and kiln the pieces at 1472?F. I then paint in the skin as well as the facial features. I use wire for the body, and shape it into a human posture, I wrap it with raw cloth and use kapok seeds for stuffing. I attach the ceramic limbs and face so that they may move. Then, women working at my workshop sew their clothes, I teach them how as well as about the different hill tribe costumes. Finally, I add jewelry items made of aluminum and zinc to authenticate what I see in real life."