Bronze alloy Khmer Spirit House (pteah preah phumi), Cambodia, mid-20th century Spirit houses are shrines to the protective spirit of a place. They are not unique to Cambodia, but also used in Burma, Laos and Thailand. In Cambodia, many houses and businesses have a spirit house placed in an auspicious spot, most often in a corner of the property. They most commonly take the form of a miniature house or a tiny temple, commonly mounted on a pillar or on a dais. Spirit houses range from simple bamboo structures costing less than a few dozen dollars to elaborate edifices in a bronze alloy like this one. In this spirit house, the sanctum depicts a Buddha Mucchalinda with two adorants. The bronze alloy temple consists of two parts of which the base made as a double lotus containing the sculpture of Buddha under the snake (Mucchalinda) with the two adorants and a separate bronze alloy structure of the temple with elephants and figures depicted on it in the typical Khmer architectural style. In front of the temple two doorkeepers (dvarapalas) are depicted. An important function of a spirit house, especially in the Buddhist tradition, is to show respect to the recently departed. Buddhists believe that leaving offerings at the spirit houses grants luck in the next life for the recently deceased, who are awaiting reincarnation in the underworld. The gesture is not entirely selfless: devotees believe that they are giving themselves good luck as well. Offerings include flower garlands, food—such as rice, fruits, and Khmer cakes—and incense sticks. Height. 23 Width: 16 cm 2,5 KG #ttjune