The road that runs east from Chiang Mai to Sankampaeng is known locally by the more colourful name of the Handicraft Road. This is because it is lined with artisans’ workshops and show rooms. Factories along the way include silk, silverware, laquerware, umbrellas, and so many more.
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 a form of glazed stoneware use to produce beautiful houseware articles. This green-colored glaze, a non-chemical process, is achieved by a mixture of wood ash being fired into the clay, bringing a green product with characteristic colour and cracked texture.
At the Siam Celadon factory everything, from drum-shapped seats and table bases to complete dinner sets, is made by hand. The factory houses many rooms, each one being devoted to one of the many steps in the process of celadon-making.
The production is a relativly complicated process. The most essential aspects of it are: the use of the proper earthenware clay raw materials, proper drying and the use of highly skilled artisans - in molding
and design application, and then in the glazing and firing processes. Before drying, the pieces that are to receive applied decorations - like leaves and flowers - go to a liquid-slip artist. After two days of drying in the mold, it is ready for the low - or biscuit - firing at 1,472 degrees. Next comes glazing and then fire at 2,300 degrees.
At Siam Celadon, you can witness the different steps of the making of celadon and you can choose some very beautiful products in their showroom. You can also try your hands on painting your own celadon plate; the company will fire your unique piece and deliver it to you. Visit this beautiful factory to bring home unforgettable memories.
SIAM CELADON :
38 Moo 10. Chiang Mai-Sankampaeng
Rd. Tonpao. Sankampaeng. Chiang Mai.
Tel. 053-331 526 www.siamceladon.com
