Antique Thai Naga Temple Finial on Stand Southeast Asia, Naga is known as the king snake, the ruler of the underworld waterways (the Chinese equivalent is Dragon). In many Northern Thai temple stairway, naga was frequently used to decorate the roof finials, handrails of important buildings as an auspicious ornament. To make the naga, a large, heavy piece of teak wood was carved in its curving shape. Circa 19th Century Dimensions H 45" W 23" D 5"