July 2016

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