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The Arts
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Pottery
Handsome pots dating back more
than 5,000 years have been found in
Ban Chiang
in northeastern Thailand, and the
art of shaping and firing clay has
continued to the present day. Simple
earthenware vessels are still used for
cooking and storage, while more
sophisticated glazed pottery is also
being produced by methods introduced
from China 700 years ago.
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Glazed pot from the Sukhothai period
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Almost every region of the
country has its own traditional pottery.
The north, tor example, makes fine
low-fired pots and water jars. lightly
glazed with terra cotta and oil to make
them capable of holding liquids; by
northern cusiom. one of these pots is
placed outside most temples and private
homes so that thirsty strangers can slop
and refresh themselves. Dark brown
Glazed pot from the Sukhothai period
pottery in a wide variety of shapes, from
flower pots to fanciful animals, is
produced at kilns near the northeastern
city of Nakhon Ratchasima and
Ratchaburi, west of
Bangkok, is noted
for its beautifully decorated water
storage jars, yellowish-green in colour
and adorned with dragons and swirling floral motifs.
According to tradition, the art of
making delicate blue-green celadon
began at the end of the 13th century
when King Ramkhamhaeng of Sukhothai
brought 300 Chinese potters to his
kingdom. Within a short lime, the
high-fired stoneware was being traded
throughout Southeast Asia, all the way
to the Philippines and Indonesia.
The celadon industry declined with
Sukhothai but has been revived in
recent years in the northern city of
Chiang Mai. The technique is still the
same as in ancient times, using a clear
glaze made from feldspar, limestone,
ash, and a small amount of red clay.
The wood used for firing the kilns
comesfrom a small jungle tree that
grows north of Chiang Mai, die ash of
which is supposed to help impart the
typical celadon colour. Several companies are now making the stoneware,
which is becoming a noted Thai export
once again.
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