Domestic Arts of the Grand Palace

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by M.R. Putrie Kritakara Viravaidya A court lady, her short hair and sleeveless bodice popular fashions around the turn of the century, n Thailand, it can be said, the home (baan) cen­ strings a floral garland within the compound ters the household, the temple ( wat) focuses the of the Grand Palace. Photo courtesy Thailand National I village, and the palace (wang) unifies the nation. Archives, Department of Fine Arts At home a child learns respect for elders and re­ sponsible codes of behavior that guide him or her male and female alike, also learned crafts. throughout life. Traditionally, the temple was the The domestic arts of the court ladies residing in place of instruction for social and religious values, the inner sanctum of the Grand Palace primarily schooling a youth for increased work and responsi­ served the king in his observances of the traditional bility. Greater knowledge and broader horizons rites that pay homage to royal ancestors or that would later be gained in service to the throne. make merit by presenting food, ceremonial robes, For over 700 years, craftsmen have served the and ecclesiastical fans to Buddhist monks. These throne by building grand palaces of successive ladies were proficient in culinary skills, perfumery, kingdoms with their residential complexes, audi­ and flower arranging, as well as sewing and embroi­ ence halls, and pavilions. Form and ornamentation dery. Court ladies today continue these arts as attest to their skills honed in lengthy training and employees of the court. apprenticeship. Not only villagers became crafts­ In cooking, court ladies create the ideal tradition­ men, but children of the king and his retainers, al Thai meal, which blends spicy, salty, subtle,

56 THAILAND FESTIVAL OF AMERICAN FOLKUFE sweet, and sour tastes and is appealing to eye, nose, the traditional skills of domestic crafts at court. and palate. In addition court ladies painstakingly The art of embroidery demands the same talents. embellish the royal cuisine by weaving papaya Gold threads embroidered in the bodice scarves strips into goldfish shapes and carving vegetables worn by female members of the royal family and and fruits into leaves and flowers to be cooked or silver and gold threads embroidered in ecclesiastical used as containers for other food. fans presented by the king to Buddhist clerics had Palace perfumery includes the traditional knowl­ to be handled very carefully with dry fingers lest edge of making water-based scents (nam ob), alco­ they became tarnished and tangled. Court embroi­ hol-based perfume (nam prung) and chips of scent­ derers made intricate designs with patience and ed talc (paeng ram). It was said that the imprint of a dexterity. lady of the court was a lovely scent on the floor­ Ladies of the court still practice the art of making boards, even though she had long left the premises. the monks' robes presented by the king at the royal Ladies of the court also practice traditional skills kathin rites for 16 royal monasteries at the end of of flower arranging to decorate altars of homage. the rainy season. They cut bolts of material in irreg­ Compositions vary from flowers or petals on a ularly shaped patterns and sew and hem them to cone-shaped, sawdust base (poom chud) to flowers make rectangular pieces ·of cloth which they then on short wooden sticks inserted into a cone-shaped, dye, wash, iron, and fold. The hours of labor clay base (poom puck). Offerings are also made of involved are inestimable, as each individual stitch plantain leaves folded and sewn as containers or as in the robes requires rubbing the sewing needle in shapes with symbolic meanings. beeswax to make it easier to pass through the heavy Hanging floral compositions include a circular material. formation (puang keo) suspended from ceilings or The ladies of the court, or fai nai (thqse inside), between curtain openings, a miniature window of are committed to the perpetuation of traditional strung flowers (vi man taen) hung in a window domestic arts. opening, and compositions usually of gardenia When used to describe these arts, the words chao petals threaded and woven into net-like arrange­ wang, literally "[of] the people of the palace," have ments of three elongated shapes (jarake) that to the always been a guarantee of exquisite beauty, high initiated resemble a crocodile. Garlands (malai) put quality, and superb workmanship. around the bases of Buddha images or hung from one's wrists or neck are strung in various sizes. M.R. Putrie Kritakara Viravaidya is currently Director of Individual petals are often used and leaves are His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej's Personal Affairs sometimes added to provide contrasting color and Division in Bangkok. texture. A delicate touch and an eye for pattern are

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