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HAND MADE<br />
IN CHIANG MAI<br />
“ LIVING ARTS ”<br />
CELADON<br />
青 瓷 — 清 迈 手 工 的 风 采<br />
The road that runs east from Chiang Mai to Sankamphaeng is marked on maps as<br />
Highway 1006, but it is known locally by a more colourful name – the Handicraft Road. This<br />
is because the road is lined with artisans’ workshops and showrooms where you can see<br />
both the processes and products of the handicrafts for which northern Thailand is famous.<br />
Handicraft factories located on this road include silk and<br />
silverware, lacquerware, ceramics, celadons, umbrellas and<br />
fans. A trip down this road is one of the most interesting<br />
activities for visitors to Chiang Mai. It offers the chance not<br />
only to meet local people, but also to learn something of the<br />
techniques used in producing traditional handicrafts, and to<br />
pick up a striking souvenir to take back home.<br />
This <strong>July</strong>, Chang Puak Magazine takes you to Siam Celadon<br />
factory, a famous place producing elegant and characteristic<br />
celadon; hand-made in Thailand and exported to the world.<br />
Celadon is form of glazed stoneware which became<br />
famous at a very early date. The word “celadon” is derived from<br />
the Sanskrit language and means green-glazed stone. It is<br />
classifieds as high-fired stoneware, fired in wood-fired kilns.<br />
The green-colored glaze is achieved by a mixture of wood<br />
ash being fired into the clay, giving it its characteristic colour<br />
and cracked texture.<br />
In the old times, celadon ware was believed to change<br />
color when poisoned food touched it; it was highly prized and<br />
in great demand in Thailand. According to Thai history, King<br />
Ramkamhaeng The Great visited China in the 13th century<br />
and brought Chinese pottery and potters back to Thailand.<br />
When they arrived in Chiang Mai they found a thriving ceramics<br />
industry. 83 kilns were firing at its height and soon celadon<br />
ware was being produced as well. Today, the northern<br />
region specializes in the making of green and blue celadon, but<br />
yellow and brown wares can also be found.<br />
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