1.7 Lanna Buddhist Art of Ban Chang Lor
Ban Chang Lor (Molding Artisan Village)
is an old community known in molding the Buddha image in Chiang Saen style
since the time of King Mang Rai who built Chiang Mai city in 1296. The legend
tells that King Mang Rai brought the artisans from Hongsawadee and Mom. Later
on, in 1558, Burma seized Chiang Mai and brought the artisans back to Burma as
captives. Then, King Kawila, ruler of Lanna Kingdom, enter into war with Burma
and collected these artisans from the west side of Salawin River back under his
policy “Bring crops to basket, bring citizen to town”. All of them became the royal
craftsmen and settled in various groups such as molding craftsmen, harp
craftsmen and silversmiths. They lived near to each other around the south - western part of city wall. It is now well known as “Suan Prung
Gate”.
At present, Chang Lor community is located
between Chiang Mai Gate and Suan Prung Gate. It has
transformed from a simple community of molding craftsmen to urban community
surrounded with modem buildings. Many craftsmen have changed their profession
or moved out to the outskirt area. Only one family of molding craftsmen remains
which is the family of Father Insorn Kaoduangsaeng. He inherits the molding
craftsmanship passing on from their predecessors for more than 100 years.
Father Insom explained that “Previously, we molded Buddha image
as the Bering to the temple. This work delights the artisans and is considered
as merit making. It is such a great virtue because the
Buddha image will be placed on the higher ground and respected by all people. Molding the
Buddha image always makes me happy."
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