Theam’s House

Raised in France, Theam returned to Cambodia to run Artisans d’Angkor, the government crafts center, before leaving to concentrate on his paintings (they sell for serious prices in local galleries). He also started an artisan training initiative. Young Khmer come here from the surrounding villages and learn to craft brightly lacquered ceramic elephants, bunnies and water buffaloes that make some of Siem Reap’s most charming souvenirs. The front series of rooms feature his iconic lacquerware designs as well as housewares like wooden tea spoons with bright lacquered handles, woven placemats in a range of colors, woven cotton and silk scarves and great carved and sandstone Buddha heads and elephant sculptures. Plan to hang out awhile in Theam's palm-fringed wooden house, browsing through rooms filled with Khmer sculpture, textiles, bronze and silver artisanal products. In the back rooms, you can visit the artisans at work who carve, paint, polish and lacquer on the premises. Indagare members can contact the Bookings Team to arrange a private visit or cocktail reception in the charming space.