Thai Ghost Protection Small Altar Chest

I've been making these two headed mummified babies since 2011. Each is cast from a mold I made of my original sculpture, secured to a small wood chest with three drawers, handpainted and sealed.

These are inspired by Kuman Thongs / Golden Boys / Luk Theps / Looke Koges / Thai Ghost Babies. Traditionally used as a good luck charm. Give it a place of permanent prominence in your home and care for it as you would a beloved child. I'm offering it to you here as a curiosity. A work of art. You decide if it's anything more than that.

The Thai occult tradition of kuman thong originated in 19th century poet Sunthon Phu's novel Khun Chang, Khun Phaen. In the story, Khun Phaen, a high-ranking soldier close to the king, earns the favor of a powerful sorcerer. The sorcerer takes such a liking to Khun Phaen that he offers his daughter in marriage. Unfortunately, some time after Khun Phaen learns of his wife's pregnancy, Khun Phaen and his father-in-law begin arguing so much that the sorcerer plots to have Khun Phaen killed. Khun Phaen discovers that his wife has been commanded by her father to poison him, and in a vengeful rage, Khun Phaen cuts his own child out of his wife. With the bloody fetus in hand, Khun Phaen builds a fire at a temple, placing the body on a grill after wrapping it in pieces of sacred cloth covered in prayers. While Khun Phaen chants prayers, the roasting soon reduces the fetus to a dried-out husk, with only paper-thin skin stretched over a skeleton. At the end of the ritual, the violently aborted child had become a ghost with whom Khun Phaen can speak and communicate, a sort of guardian spirit for his father.

Traditional Offerings: incense, candle light, red syrup. Say "Na Mo" three times and then say "Ji Je Ru Ni / I Ti Maa Ni / Ma Ma Laa Pho / Thu Sa Na Go / Laa Pho Hoo Mi" three times.

Measurements: 3.75" tall, just under 4.25" wide and 2.75" deep.