1.2 “Kreung Khern” Lacquerware Handicraft of Nantharam
Community
“Kreung Khern” or lacquerware is made
of wood or bamboo, covered by layers of natural black lacquer, then
ornamentally carved or coated with red colour or “Chad”. It can be inlaid with
mother of pearl, silver or gold foil. Lacquerware or “Kreung Khern” is named
after their maker “Thai Khern”, group of people who migrated 200 years ago from
Chiang Tung as captives of King Rama Thibodi the First. They were brought to
settle do was in Chiang Mai and taught handicraft skills to local people. It
now turns into the important source of lacquerware production. This village is
called Lacquerware Community of Wat Nantharam.
Lacquerware is an authentic Lanna
handicraft that has beautiful shape and outstanding unique pattern. Previously,
it was made as utensils for household use such as vase, tray, small case, water
bowl, jar, etc. The production process starts from shaping the base structure
from bamboo, coating with black “Rak” or natural lacquer and decorating with
gold or silver foil to create shining effect. In Wat Nantharam community, 4
types of lacquerware are popularly produced which are gold gilding pattern,
filled lacquering pattern, egg shell inlay and colour painting
Nantharam lacquerware is distinctive
in their structure. The base structure is made of thin flat bamboo strips
coiled from the bottom up to form the base shape as designed. There is no need
to use wooden frame to hold the structure, therefore the overall structure will
be equally tight and strong. After “Rak” or black natural lacquer is applied,
the finished product will be thin, smooth and light weighted. The outstanding
technique for lacquerware decoration is pattern engraving or so called “Hai Dok” in Lanna language which is mostly
applied to “Khan Dok” (tray for worship materialร like
flowers), pedestal tray, cloth chest, betel tray set, small case, etc.
They key person of Nantharam
lacquerware that has been earned on for more than 100 years is Late “Mae Oui”
(Grand Mather) Junpeng Wichaikul. She and the other craft masters trained many
families in Nantharam community with the knowledge of lacquerware making. When
they could produce them on their own, they would always bring them to
Grandmother’s home to sell. Her home then becomes the center of lacquerware
trade and well - known to people as Wichaikul Lacquerware
Shop.
Wat Nantharam Community of Tambon Hai Yang, Amphoe
Muang, Chiang Mai province is not only the learning center of well - known Lanna lacquerware, but als0 the
main source of its production where the wisdom of lacquerware making is
inherited to the young generation in community and any interested persons as
the cultural heritage that is passed down from generations to generations.
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