Chiang Mai Ceramics

The name Celadon is derived from two Sanskrit words: "Sila" means stone, and "Dhara" means green. Therefore, Celadon also means blue stone.

Celadon (Celadon) is a type of high-fired stoneware with wood and ash enamel that is handcrafted according to the traditional process. It is a man-made attempt to duplicate transparent jade, as jade is seen as a naturally beautiful and powerful stone that brings the owner luck and success. Celadon possesses extremely unique properties, it is not only thick and strong, but can also subtly crack beneath its glaze. This is what creates the beauty and value of celadon.

According to Thai chronicles, during the Sukhotai period around the 13th century, King Ramkamhaeng sent porcelain to Beijing and brought back Chinese pottery and potters. Since then, Chinese methods have been introduced, and ceramics have been produced in Sukhotai. At the same time, high-quality ceramics are gradually being produced in Sawankalok. The beautiful green glaze on pottery called Celadon became very popular. Around the middle of the 15th century, ceramic industries began in various parts of Northern Thailand, especially in Chiang Mai - where Celadon developed and became the most famous of all ceramics. The Burmese invasion led to the fall of the Lanna Kingdom, followed by competition from cheaper Chinese ceramics in the mid-17th century that made celadon products virtually nonexistent.

By 1950, groups of Shan people who had migrated from Shan State, Myanmar, had established a number of wood-fueled kilns near Chang Peuk, the northern gateway to Chiang Mai, making glazed products using wood ash. Their products such as pots for soaking glutinous rice, flower pots, water pots for shelves, etc., are all blue enamel or Celadon stoneware. Since then, Celadon wares in various forms have been re-developed to meet the growing demands of the market. Later, Westerners became involved in operating a number of celadon production facilities, more diverse designs were produced, such as tableware, vases and decorative items. As a result, Celadon has grown, several establishments in Chiang Mai have become famous. While the production of celadon products is aided by mechanical equipment, most maintain traditional production methods including the use of an ancient enamel recipe made from ash.

Two pottery shops selling the finest Celadon wares in the region are Siam Celadon and Ban Celadon. These are the two facilities that make San Kamphaeng district a must-see for handicraft enthusiasts. Baan Celadon keeps the traditional production method of celadon, maintaining the manual processes combined with the designs through the painting and carving abilities of the artisans to create products that reflect the art as well as the art. cultural heritage of Thailand.

Established in 1978, Siam Celadon maintains the process of producing high-temperature fired stoneware that embodies the traditional ash and wood glaze recipe discovered in China more than 20 centuries ago. Siam Celadon has won a number of coveted awards from prestigious Thai art institutions. The facility now has an annual production capacity of more than 400,000 products with orders from all over the world.