Thai Handicrafts

hai handicrafts are the products T of intricate creativity and long held heritage of the Thai people in various parts of the country. The handicrafts are made primarily for practical purposes and also as items of beauty. Following is a list of outstanding Thai handicrafts with their unique characteristics which make these items one of the most by striking heated pieces of metal outstanding attractions of . into various shapes such as utensils Nielloware: Originally, nielloware and weapons, i.e. knives, axes, were all hand made but nowadays, spades, sickles, and metallic bowls. some are made through the use of The same process is used in making equipment and the application of silver and gold ware. The following modern technology. Nielloware is the are examples of the unique sites for art of applying an amalgam of black bronze ware: Bronze ware at Ban metals to etched portions of either Pa-Ao, Ubon Ratchathani Province. silver or gold. Nielloware products Weaving: Hand- include trays, bowls, teapots, cutlery, woven fabrics and mats jewellery, and boxes for betel leaves have developed into the and areca nuts. present-day cotton and Bronze Ware: There are two silk weaving traditional kinds of bronze ware in Thailand. folk craft. Especially The first type is the bronze (alloy of the hand-woven fabrics tin and copper) object which is cast have become the major by the lost wax process wherein handicraft of the country molten bronze is poured into baked in terms of the production clay moulds, such as in the making for Thailand’s garment of Buddha images and bells. The industry. The delightful designs of the second type of bronze ware is made fabrics vary according to the unique

THAILAND : TRAITS and TREASURES 116 Bencharong (five-coloured) ceramic ware

Gilded ladyûs handbag

Silverware

THAILAND : TRAITS and TREASURES 117 characteristics of each region. Tin Province. “Khoen” ware is derived Chok from the North and Northeast, for from a group of Khoen people who example, Nam Lai of Nan; Laplae, had migrated from Myanmar to Province; Hat Siao, settle down in the area Province, Phum Riang, some 100 years ago. Major products ; Ko Yo, Songkhla include useful containers more than Province; Prae Wa, ; ornamental ones. Outstanding items Hang Krarok, ; Ban are water containers, cigarette boxes, Khwao, Province; and betel nut sets, etc. Chonnabot, Khon Kaen Enamel Ware: Enamel ware is Province; Amphoe Pak Thong Chai, another type of handicraft which is Nakhon Ratchasima Province and similarly made as neilloware. Expensive Chanthabun Mats, enamel ornaments are . adorned with gems of Lacquer Ware: various colours and can Lacquer is used to be applied to gold, copper, provide a nice finish, and bronze. In the old through the decora- days enamel products tion of gold leaf to the such as food containers, artefact container or spittoons were specially basket made from made for royalty, aristo- bamboo. The major crats, and high – ranking design is called lai rot Buddhist monks. nam (in black and Ceramics: Through gold). In the northern the procedure of firing part of Thailand, a group of people and glazing with various colours, known as Thai Khoen specialize in ceramics is another traditional product. the production of lacquerware, hence Besides pottery, the major products the name Khrueang Khoen or of ceramics include floor and mosaic Lacquer ware. There is a village tiles, sanitary ware, dining and kitchen known as “Ban Khoen, (a village of ware, ornaments made of ceramics lacquer ware) in Haiya, and other ceramic-related products Amphoe , Chiang Mai such as containers. Since the Sukhothai

THAILAND : TRAITS and TREASURES 118 Period, ceramics had been known as roofs. Moreover, there are other Sangkalok or Sukhothai Ware. Due to wood ware products for household popular demand from the consumers, objects such as beds, cupboards, the ceramics industry can be found mirror frames, tables, etc. Wood ware in Lamphun, Lampang and Chiang of old and new designs has been Mai provinces. developed into outstanding products Mother-of-pearl Inlay Products : which are economically important Traditional, intricate handicraft, to the export industry of Thailand. processed with the art of mother-of- At present, the most reputed village pearl inlay is applied to objects. for wood carving is “Thawai Village”, Lacquer is used as adhesive agent. Hang Dong , Chiang Mai The beautified effect is created by Province. the sparkling contrast of pinkish Basketry: Known as home mother-of-pearl with the blend of industry, basket-making has been the blackish “rak”. Items inlaid important to the every day Thai with mother–of-pearl are furniture, life for quite a long period of time. containers, trays, betel nut boxes, This folk art which is in the form door and window panels of temples of souvenirs, can be classified into and palaces. Pearl carving is different types according to their nowadays practised at Amphoe usage, such as fish traps for catching Mueang, Phra Nakhon Si Ayatthaya aquatic animals, baskets, rice boxes, Province. Moreover, in the south of containers, mats and hats. The , at Phuket, pearl carving part of Thailand is the site for good has been applied in making utensils basketry. and souvenirs—most popular among Silverware: The northern part of visitors. Thailand is popular as the site for Wood Ware: The art of wood making silverware. Users of silverware ware has been popular both as are normally high-ranking dignitaries. handicraft and as useful utensils. Decorations with wood carving of animal and plant motifs include temple buildings, doors, shutters and gables supporting the overhanging

THAILAND : TRAITS and TREASURES 119