![]() |
| about: My Benjarong! | ordering | on-line Catalog | contact us |
Benjarong refers to the traditional form of hand-painted Thai
porcelain. Benjarong literally translates from the Bali and Sanskrit words 'panch' and
'rang' as 5 colors. Often, more than 5 colors
are actually used. 12 or 18 carat gold paint is usually gilded and incorporated as a
background.
This style of multi-colored and densely painted enamels in mostly symmetric patterns on a
white porcelain base came to Thailand from the Ming Dynasty in China. In the early 1800's,
benjarong, or the gold-gilded variety that came to be known as "Lai Nam Thong",
was made exclusively for the Royal Court. Later, wealthy merchants and aristocrats began
to use benjarong. Modern Thai factory owners and artists have recently revived this art,
following traditional Thai patterns and shapes. In addition, they are innovating benjarong
from traditional Thai decorative designs, like the bowl at left, to include more modern
designs like tableware. Benjarong is now extremely popular among Thais and tourists,
alike. The internet brings this fine art to the rest of the world. Benjarong is
now used by all and is enjoyed for it's graceful beauty worldwide.
The detail and beauty of benjarong is reflective of the incredible workmanship,
artistry and detail in the hand-crafted design. The cost of benjarong is
reflective of the number of hours and days that it can take single artists or
teams of skilled craftsmen to hand-paint individual pieces and full sets. Deft
applications of single brush strokes result in a raised surface feel. The colors
have undergone 800 degrees C plus heat treatment. These pieces will shine
forever and require only a damp cloth to wipe away the dust. My
Benjarong! sells
benjarong procured directly from modern factory owners in Bangkok, Thailand and
Lampang,
Thailand. These hand-picked factories use first-class materials and highly skilled craftsmen.
| about: My Benjarong! | ordering | on-line Catalog | contact us |