SEA Statuary, the ethical alternative

I have been meaning to mention a remarkable discovery I made in
Ayudhaya (Thailand) just before my departure to Sri Lanka --and an
ethical alternative to stolen Cambodian Buddhist art (that we were
discussing at the time).

There is a "stonecutters' village" in Ayudhaya, and by far the most
impressive was the following shop, producing genuinely beautiful
reproductions of Cambodian statuary (in stone):

   Umaport Dhamakija, Director
   6/79 Moo 8 Road Near Siriyalai Palace
   T. Pratuchai Ayutthaya 13000
   Mobile 01-927-4818
   Fax (6635) 231 039

The prices of the reproductions were very, very low, and I saw a wide
variety of Khmer (Hindu & Buddhist) pieces that she had recently
completed --many of her clients order large statues for a boardroom or
hotel lobby.  I think she was pleasantly surprised that I could
identify many of the gods, and also the Khmer kings, who were on
display (in simulacrum).

In any case, she does indeed deliver internationally, and this would
be a delightful purchase for a scholar passing through central
Thailand.  If you have a specific Khmer statue, lintel or _bas-relief_
that you'd like reproduced, she's happy to work from photographs
(etc.).

I rather regretted that I didn't pick up a small Buddha statue to
donate to the Forest Hermitage (or, for that matter, the Burmese rest
--both lack images) --but, alas, such a solid stone object would have
made travel by bicycle rather difficult.  Perhaps next time (if there
is a next time).

E.M.